GREGOR

AND THE
PROPHECY OF BANE
BOOK TWO OF THE BESTSELLING UNDERLAND CHRONICLES

SUZANNE COLLINS
SCHOLASTIC INC.
New York Toronto London Auckland
Sydney Mexico City New Delhi Hong Kong

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This book was originally published in hardcover
by Scholastic Press in 2004.
ISBN 978-0-439-65076-2
Copyright 2004 by Suzanne Collins. All rights reserved.
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40

For Cap

PART 1

The Mission

CHAPTER

hen Gregor opened his eyes he had the distinct

impression that someone was watching him. He

glanced around his tiny bedroom, trying to keep as

still as possible. The ceiling was empty. Nothing on his
dresser. Then he saw it sitting on the windowsill,
motionless except for the delicate twitching of its
antennas. A cockroach.
Youre just looking for trouble, he said softly to
the cockroach. You want my mom to see you?
The cockroach rubbed its feelers together but made
no attempt to run away. Gregor sighed. He reached for
an old mayonnaise jar that held his pencils, emptied it
on the bed, and in one swift move trapped the
cockroach beneath it.
He didnt even have to get up to do it. His bedroom
1

wasnt actually a bedroom. Probably it was supposed

to be some kind of storage space. Gregors single bed
was wedged into it so, at night, he came in the
doorway and crawled straight up to his pillow. On the
wall facing the foot of the bed, there was a little alcove
with just enough room for a narrow dresser, although
you could only open the drawers about eight inches. He
had to do his homework sitting cross-legged on his
bed with a board on his knees. And there was no door.
But Gregor wasnt complaining. He had a window
that looked out on the street, the ceilings were nice
and high, and he had more privacy than anybody else
in the apartment. No one came in his room much . . .
if you didnt count the roaches.
What was it with the roaches lately, anyway?
Theyd always had some in the apartment, but now it
seemed like every time he turned around hed spot
one. Not running. Not trying to hide. Just sitting
there . . . watching him. It was weird. And it was a lot
of work trying to keep them alive.
This past summer when a giant roach had sacrificed
herself to save his two-year-old sister Bootss life miles
beneath the city of New York, hed vowed never to kill
another one of the bugs. But if his mom saw them,
2

man, they were goners. It was up to Gregor to get

them out of the apartment before her roach radar
kicked in. When it was warm out, hed just trapped
them and put them out on the fire escape. But he
was afraid the bugs would freeze now that it was
December, so lately hed been trying to stick them as
far down in the kitchen trash as he could manage. He
thought theyd be happy there.
Gregor nudged the roach off the sill and up the side
of the mayonnaise jar. He crept down the hallway
past the bathroom, past the bedroom that Boots, his
seven-year-old-sister, Lizzie, and his grandma shared,
and into the living room. His mom was gone already.
She mustve taken the breakfast shift at the coffee
shop where she waited tables on weekends. She worked
full-time as a dentists receptionist during the week,
but lately they needed every penny.
Gregors dad lay on the pull-out couch. Even when
he was asleep he wasnt still. His fingers twitched and
plucked fitfully at his blanket, and he was muttering
softly. His dad. His poor dad . . .
After being held prisoner by huge, vicious rats far
beneath New York City for over two and a half years,
his dad was a wreck. During his stay in the Underland,
3

which was what the inhabitants called it, hed been

starved, deprived of light, and physically abused in
ways he would never discuss. He was tormented by
nightmares and at times he had trouble separating
reality from illusion even when he was awake. This
was worse when he was feverish, which was often,
because despite repeated trips to the doctor, he could
not shake off a strange illness hed brought back from
the Underland.
Before Gregor had fallen after Boots through a
grate in the laundry room and helped rescue his dad,
hed always thought that everything would be simple
once his family was reunited. It was a thousand times
better having his dad back, Gregor knew that. But it
was not simple.
Gregor moved quietly into the kitchen and slid the
roach into the trash. He set the jar on the counter and
noticed it was bare. The fridge held half a carton of
milk, a gallon bottle of apple juice with maybe one
glassful in it, and a jar of mustard. Gregor braced
himself and opened the cabinet. Half a loaf of bread,
some peanut butter, and a box of oatmeal. He gave the
box of oatmeal a shake and exhaled in relief. There
was enough food for breakfast and lunch. And since it
4

was Saturday, Gregor wouldnt even need to eat at

home. Hed be going over to help Mrs. Cormaci.
Mrs. Cormaci. It was strange how in a few short
months she had changed from being their nosy neighbor
into a kind of guardian angel. Shortly after Gregor,
Boots, and their dad had returned from the Underland,
hed run into her in the hallway.
So, whereve you been, Mister? she asked him.
Besides scaring the whole building to death. Gregor
had given her the story his family had agreed upon:
On the day hed disappeared from the laundry room,
hed taken Boots out to the playground to play for a
few minutes. Theyd run into his dad, who was on his
way to see his sick uncle in Virginia and wanted to
take the kids with him. Gregor thought his dad had
called his mom; his dad thought Gregor had called his
mom; it wasnt until they got back that they realized
what a crisis theyd caused.
Hmph, said Mrs. Cormaci, giving him a hard
look. I thought your father was living in California.
He was, said Gregor. But now hes back with us.
I see, Mrs. Cormaci again. So, thats your story?
Gregor nodded, knowing it was pretty lame.
Hmph, said Mrs. Cormaci again. Well, Id work
5

on that if I were you. And she walked off without

another word.
Gregor thought she was mad at them, but a few
days later shed knocked on the door with a coffee
cake. I brought your father a coffee cake, she said.
Its a welcome-home thing. Is he here?
He hadnt wanted to let her in, but his dad called
out in a false, cheerful voice, Is that Mrs. Cormaci?
and shed bustled right in with her cake. The sight of
his dad bone thin, white-haired, hunched over on
the couch pulled her up short. If she had planned to
interrogate him, she let it go right there. Instead, she
exchanged a few comments about the weather and
left.
Then, a couple of weeks after school started, his
mom came in one evening with some news. Mrs.
Cormaci wants to hire you to help her on Saturdays,
she said.
Help her? Gregor asked warily. Help her do
what? He didnt want to help Mrs. Cormaci. Shed
ask him a bunch of questions and probably want to
read his future with her deck of tarot cards and
I dont know. Help her around her apartment. You
dont have to do it if you dont want to. But I thought
6

it might be a nice way for you to make some pocket

money, said his mom.
And Gregor knew then that he would do it and
forget about pocket money, forget about money for
movies and comic books and stuff. Hed use the money
for his family. Because even though his dad was home,
there was no way he could go back to his job as a
science teacher. He had only left the apartment a few
times, and that was to go to the doctor. The six of them
were living on what his mom could make. And with the
medical bills, and school supplies, and clothes and food
and rent and every other thing you had to have to live,
it wasnt stretching far enough.
What time does she want me there? asked Gregor.
She said ten would be good, said his mom.
That first Saturday, several months ago, there hadnt
been much food in the apartment, either, so Gregor had
just gulped down a couple of glasses of water and
headed over to Mrs. Cormacis. When she opened the
door, the rich smell of something amazing hit him,
filling his mouth with so much saliva that he had to
swallow hard before he said hi.
Oh, good, you came, said Mrs. Cormaci.
Follow me.
7

Feeling awkward, Gregor followed her into her

kitchen. A gigantic pot of sauce was bubbling away on
the stove. Another pot contained lasagna noodles. Piles
of vegetables covered the counter. Theres a fund-raiser
tonight at my church and I said Id bring lasagna. Dont
ask me why. Mrs. Cormaci dumped several ladles of
sauce into a bowl, stuck a big wedge of bread in it,
clunked it on the table, and pushed Gregor into a chair
before it. Taste it.
Gregor looked at her, unsure.
Taste it! I have to know if its fit to be served,
insisted Mrs. Cormaci.
He dipped the bread into the sauce and took a bite.
It was so good, his eyes watered. Boy, he said, when
he had swallowed.
You hate it. Its revolting. I should throw the
whole pot out and go buy jar sauce from the grocery,
said Mrs. Cormaci.
No! said Gregor, alarmed. No. Its the best
sauce I ever tasted!
Mrs. Cormaci slapped a spoon down beside him.
Then eat it and wash your hands, with soap, because
youve got chopping to do.

After hed inhaled the sauce and bread, she set him
to work chopping piles of vegetables that she sauted in
olive oil. He mixed eggs and spices into ricotta cheese.
They layered big, flat noodles and cheese and sauce and
vegetables into three enormous pans. He helped her
wash up, and she declared it was time for lunch.
They had tuna salad sandwiches in her dining room
while Mrs. Cormaci talked about her three kids, who
were all grown and lived in different states, and Mr.
Cormaci, whod passed away five years ago. Gregor
vaguely remembered him as a nice man who had given
him quarters and, one time, a baseball card. Not a
day goes by that I dont miss him, said Mrs. Cormaci.
Then she brought out a pound cake.
After lunch, Gregor helped her clean out a closet and
carried a few boxes down to her storage space. At two
oclock, she said he was done. She had not asked any
questions about him except how he liked school. She
sent him out the door with forty bucks, a winter coat
that had belonged to her daughter when she was little,
and a lasagna. When he tried to object, she just said, I
cant take three lasagnas to the fund-raiser. People take
two. You walk in with three and everybody thinks

youre a big show-off. And what? Im going to eat it?

With my cholesterol? Take it. Eat it. Go. Ill see you next
Saturday. And she closed the door in his face.
It was too much. All of it. But he could surprise his
mom and buy groceries and maybe some lightbulbs
since three lamps were out in the house. Lizzie needed
a coat. And the lasagna . . . somehow that was the best
part of all. Suddenly he wanted to knock on the door
and tell Mrs. Cormaci the truth about the Underland
and everything that had happened and that he was
sorry that he had lied to her. But he couldnt. . . .
Gregor was jolted out of his memory when Lizzie
padded into the kitchen in her pajamas. She was small
for her age, but the look of concern on her face made
her look older than seven. Is there any food for
today? she asked.
Sure, theres plenty, said Gregor, trying to sound
like he hadnt been worried himself. Look, you guys
can have this oatmeal for breakfast, and peanut butter
sandwiches for lunch. Ill go ahead and make the
oatmeal now.
Lizzie wasnt allowed to use the stove, but she opened
the cabinet with the bowls. She counted out four and
then hesitated. Are you eating breakfast or ?
10

Nah, Im not even hungry this morning, he said,

even though his stomach was growling. Besides, Im
going over to help Mrs. Cormaci.
Are we going sledding later? she asked.
Gregor nodded. Uh-huh. Ill take you and Boots
over to Central Park. If dads okay.
They had found a plastic snow saucer out by the
trash. It had a big crack in it, but their dad had
mended it with duct tape. Gregor had been promising
to take his sisters sledding all week. But if his dad had
a fever, someone needed to stay home with him and
their grandma, who spent a lot of her time thinking she
was on her familys farm in Virginia. And afternoons
were usually when the fever hit.
If hes not, Ill stay home. You can take Boots,
said Lizzie.
He knew she was dying to go. She was only seven.
Why did things have to be so hard for her?
Gregor spent the next few hours helping Mrs.
Cormaci make big glass casserole dishes of scalloped
potatoes, polishing her odd collection of antique
clocks, and getting her Christmas decorations out of
the storage space. When she asked Gregor what he
was hoping to get for Christmas, he just shrugged.
11

When he left that day, along with the money and a

vat of scalloped potatoes, Mrs. Cormaci gave him
something wonderful. It was a pair of her sons old
work boots. They were a little worn and a little too big,
but they were sturdy and waterproof and laced up
above his ankles. The sneakers Gregor was wearing,
which were his only pair of shoes, were starting to split
at the toe and sometimes, after walking through the
slushy streets, his feet would be wet all day at school.
Are you sure he doesnt want these? said Gregor.
My son? Sure he wants them. He wants them to sit
in my closet taking up space so he can come back once
a year and say, Hey, theres my old boots, and stuff
them back in the closet. If I trip over those boots
getting to my iron one more time, Ill disown him.
Get them out of here before I throw them out the
window! Mrs. Cormaci said with a wave of contempt
at the boots. Ill see you next Saturday.
When he got home, it was clear his dad wasnt
feeling well.
You kids go on. Go sledding. Ill be fine here with
Grandma, he said, but his teeth were chattering from
chills.

12

Boots was dancing around with the plastic saucer

on her head. Go sedding? We go sedding, Ge-go?
Ill stay, Lizzie whispered to Gregor. But could
you get some of that fever medicine before you go? We
ran out yesterday.
Gregor considered staying as well, but Boots hardly
ever got out, and Lizzie was too young to take her
sledding alone.
He ran down to the drugstore and bought a bottle
of pills that brought down your fever. On the way
home he stopped at a table where a man sold used
books on the street. A few days ago, walking by, he
had noticed a paperback puzzle book. It was kind of
beat up, but when Gregor flipped through it he saw
that only one or two of the puzzles had been done. The
man gave it to him for a buck. Lastly, he picked up a
couple of navel oranges, the expensive kind with the
really thick skin. Lizzie loved those.
Lizzies little face lit up when he gave her the book.
Oh! Oh, Ill get a pencil! she said, and ran off. She
was nuts about puzzles. Math puzzles, word puzzles,
any kind. And even though she was seven, she could
do a lot of the ones meant for adults. When she was a

13

tiny kid youd take her out and see a stop sign and
shed go, Stop, pots, spot, tops . . . Shed instantly
rearrange all the letters into all the words she could
think of. Like she couldnt help it.
When Gregor had told her about the Underland,
she gave a little gasp when hed mentioned the horrible
rat king, Gorger. Gorger! Thats the same as your
name, Gregor! She didnt mean the same name, she
meant you could mix around the letters in Gorger and
spell Gregor. Who else would notice that?
So he felt okay when he left her. Their grandma was
asleep, his dad had medicine, and Lizzie was curled up
in a chair next to him sucking on an orange slice and
happily cracking a cryptogram.
Bootss excitement was so contagious that Gregor
felt happy, too. Hed put on an extra pair of socks and
stuffed the toes of his new boots with toilet paper so
his feet were warm and snug and dry. His family had
enough scalloped potatoes at home for a small army. A
light snow was gently spinning down around them,
and they were going sledding. For the moment, things
were okay.
They rode the subway to Central Park, where there
was a great sledding hill. Lots of people were there,
14

some with fancy sleds, some with beat-up old saucers.

One guy was just sliding down on a big trash bag.
Boots squealed in delight every time they went down
the hill and as soon as they slid to a stop, she shouted,
More, Ge-go. More! They sledded until the light
began to fade. Near an exit to the street, Gregor stopped
for a while to let Boots play. He leaned against a tree
while she fascinated herself by making footprints in
the snow.
The park felt like Christmas with all the sledding and
the pine trees and the funny, lumpy snowmen that kids
had built. Big, shimmery stars hung from the lampposts.
People walked by with shopping bags that sported
reindeer and poinsettia. Gregor should have felt
cheerful, but instead, Christmas made him feel anxious.
His family didnt have any money. It didnt matter so
much for him. He was eleven. But Boots and Lizzie
were little, and it should be fun, it should be magical,
with a Christmas tree and presents and stockings on
the coat hooks (which is where they hung theirs
because they didnt have a chimney) and nice things
to eat.
Gregor had been trying to save some money out of
what Mrs. Cormaci gave him, but it always seemed to
15

go for something else, like fever medicine or milk or

diapers. Boots could really go through a lot of diapers.
She probably needed one now, but he hadnt brought
any, so they had to get going.
Boots! Gregor called. Time to go! He looked
around the park and saw that the lamps that lined the
paths had come on. Daylight was almost gone. Boots!
Lets go! he said. He stepped out from the tree, turned
in a circle, and felt a jolt of alarm.
In the brief time hed been thinking, Boots had
vanished.

16

CHAPTER

oots! Gregor was beginning to panic. Shed been

right here a minute ago. Hadnt she? Or had he

been so busy thinking, hed lost track of how much

time had passed? Boots!
Where could she have gone? Into the trees? Out
onto the street? What if someone had taken her?
Boots!
There wasnt even anyone around to ask. The park
had emptied out as dark had fallen. Struggling to stay
calm, Gregor tried to follow the trail of footprints that
shed been making in the snow. But there were so
many footprints! And he could barely see!
Suddenly he heard a dog barking nearby. Maybe it
had found Boots, or at least its owner might have seen

17

her. Gregor ran through the trees to a small clearing

somewhat illuminated by a nearby light. A feisty little
terrier was running in a circle around a stick, barking
its head off. Intermittently it would grab the stick in its
jaws, give it a good shake, and drop it on the ground.
Then it would begin its frantic barking again.
A pretty woman, dressed in winter jogging clothes,
appeared. Petey! Petey! What are you doing? She
scooped up the dog and shook her head at Gregor
as she walked off. Sorry, he goes a little crazy
sometimes.
But Gregor didnt respond. He was staring at the
stick, or what hed thought was a stick, that had been
driving the dog wild. It was smooth and shiny and
black. He picked it up and it bent in two. Not like a
broken stick. But like a leg. An insect leg. From a giant
roach . . .
His head whipped around the area. When they had
returned from the Underland that summer, they had
come up through a series of tunnels that led to Central
Park. They had been near the street, just as he was now.
There, on the ground. That big slab of rock. It had
been moved recently he could tell by the marks
in the snow and then moved back into place.
18

Something red was trapped under the edge of the rock.

He pulled it out. It was Bootss mitten.
The giant roaches from the Underland had idolized
Boots. Theyd called her the princess and done some
special ritual dance to honor her. And now theyd
kidnapped her right out from under his nose.
Boots . . . , he said softly. But he knew she
couldnt hear him at this point.
He pulled out his cell phone. They couldnt afford a
cell phone, but after three members of her family had
mysteriously disappeared, his mother had insisted they
get one, anyway. He dialed home. His dad answered.
Dad? Its Gregor. Look, something happened.
Something bad. Im in Central Park, near that place
where we came up this summer, and the roaches, you
know, the giant ones? They were here and they took
Boots. I wasnt watching her close enough, its my
fault and . . . I have to go back down! Gregor knew
he had to hurry.
But . . . Gregor . . . His dads voice was full of
confusion and fear. You cant
I have to, Dad. Or we might not ever see her
again. You know how crazy the roaches are about her.
Look, dont let Mom call the police this time. Theres
19

nothing they can do. If Im not back right away, tell

people weve got the flu or something, okay?
Listen, stay there. Im coming with you. Ill be
there as quick as I can, said his dad. Gregor could
hear him panting as he tried to struggle to his feet.
No, Dad! No, youd never make it. You cant even
walk down the block! said Gregor.
But I . . . but I cant let you . . . He could hear his
dad beginning to cry.
Dont worry. Ill be okay. I mean, Ive been down
there before. But I got to go, Dad, or theyll get too
far. Gregor puffed as he struggled to slide away the
slab of rock.
Gregor? You have any light? asked his dad.
No! said Gregor. This was a real problem. Wait,
yes! Yes! Mrs. Cormaci had given him a mini flashlight
in case the lights ever went out when he was on the
subway. He had clipped it to his key ring. Ive got a
flashlight. Dad, Ive got to go now.
I know, son. Gregor . . . I love you. His dads
voice was shaking. Be careful, okay?
I will be. Love you, too. Ill see you soon, okay?
said Gregor.

20

See you soon, his dad whispered hoarsely.

And then Gregor lowered himself down into the
hole. He stuck the phone in one pocket and pulled out
his key ring from another. When he clicked on the little
flashlight, he was surprised by the amount of light it
produced. He slid the rock slab closed and started
down a long, steep flight of steps.
As he got to the bottom he stopped and closed his
eyes for a minute, trying to re-create in his head the
path that had brought him here last summer. They had
been flying then, on the back of a big black bat named
Ares, who was his bond. In the Underland, a human
and a bat could take a vow and swear always to protect
each other no matter how desperate the situation. Then
the two were called bonds.
Ares had flown Gregor, Boots, and his dad back
from the Underland and left them at the foot of the
stairs and headed off to the . . . right! Gregor was
pretty sure it had been to the right, so he started
running that way.
The tunnel was cold and dank and desolate. It
had been made by people regular people, not the
violet-eyed, pale Underlanders he had met deep in the

21

earth but Gregor felt sure that it had been forgotten

by New Yorkers long ago.
His flashlight beam caught a mouse, and it skittered
away in terror. Light didnt come down here. People
didnt come down here. What was he doing down here?
I cant believe it, thought Gregor. I cant believe I
have to go back down there! Back into the strange
dark land of giant roaches and spiders and, worst of
all, rats! The thought of seeing one of those six-foot
sneering, fanged creatures filled him with dread.
Boy, his mom was not going to like this.
Last summer, when theyd finally come home late
one night, shed freaked out. First her two missing kids
show up with their missing dad, who can barely walk,
and then they all sit down and tell her some bizarre
story about a land miles under the earth.
Gregor could tell she didnt believe them at first.
Well, who would? But it was Bootss chatter that she
couldnt ignore.
Beeg bugs, Mama! I like beeg bugs! We go ride!
Boots had said, happily bouncing on her mothers lap.
I ride bat. Ge-go ride bat.
Did you see a rat, baby? her mom said softly.
Rat bad, Boots said with a frown. And Gregor
22

remembered this was the exact phrase he had heard

the roaches use to describe the rats. They were bad.
Very bad. Well, most of them . . .
Theyd told the story three times, under intense
questioning from his mom. Theyd showed her their
strange Underland clothing woven by the huge spiders
that lived there. Then there was his dad, white-haired,
shaking, emaciated.
At dawn, shed decided to believe them. At one
minute after dawn, she was down in the laundry room
nailing, screwing, gluing, doing everything she could
to seal shut the grate theyd all fallen through. She and
Gregor shoved a dryer closer to it. Not enough so it
would draw a lot of attention. But enough so that no
one could get back there and open it up.
Then she put the laundry room off-limits. No one
was allowed down there, ever. So, once a week Gregor
helped her haul the laundry three blocks to use a
Laundromat.
But his mom hadnt thought about this entrance in
Central Park. And neither had he. Until now.
The tunnel came to a fork. He hesitated a minute,
and then headed off to the left, hoping it was the right
direction. As he jogged along, the tunnel began to
23

change. The bricks left off, and natural stone walls

took over.
Gregor went down one last flight of steps. This one
was carved out of natural stone. It looked really old. He
guessed it must have been made by the Underlanders
hundreds of years earlier, when theyd begun their
descent to make a new world deep in the earth.
The tunnels began to twist and turn, and soon Gregor
lost his bearings. What if he was just getting totally
lost in some maze of tunnels while the roaches carried
Boots off in a completely different direction? What if
hed taken a wrong turn back at the stairs . . . what
if . . . no, there! His flashlight landed on a spot of red
on the ground, and Gregor picked up Bootss second
mitten. She could never hold on to them. Luckily.
As Gregor sprinted off, he began to notice a crunching sound under his feet. Shining the flashlight onto
the floor, he realized it was covered with a variety of
small insects scurrying down the tunnel as fast as they
could.
As he stopped to investigate the situation, something
skittered over his boot. A mouse. There were dozens
running past him. And there by the wall hadnt he
just seen some kind of molelike animal go by? The
24

whole floor was alive with creatures headed in Gregors

direction in a big, creepy stampede. They werent trying
to eat one another. They werent fighting. They were
just running, the way he had seen animals on the news
one time running from a forest fire. They were afraid
of something. But of what?
Gregor shot the beam of his flashlight behind him
and there was his answer. About fifty yards away,
galloping toward him, were two rats. The Underland
kind.

25

CHAPTER

regor turned on his heel and ran. Oh, geez! he

gasped. What are they doing here? Cockroaches

had taken Boots. Hed seen one of their legs. But what
were Underland rats doing so close to the surface of the
earth?
Well, that was something to figure out later, because
he had bigger issues at the moment. The rats were
gaining on him, and gaining on him fast. He tried to
think of a plan, but nothing came to mind. He couldnt
outrun them; he couldnt outclimb them; and he sure
couldnt outfight them with their six-inch teeth and
razor-sharp claws and
Ugh! He ran smack into the side of something
hard. It caught him stomach high, knocking the wind

26

out of him. He dropped the flashlight, but as it fell into

empty space, Gregor recognized the circular stone
opening that Ares had squeezed through to bring
them home. Somewhere far, far below lay a massive
Underland ocean. The Waterway.
Without thinking, Gregor swung his leg over the side
of the circle and lowered himself down inside. His fingers
clung to the edge as his legs swung free. Maybe the rats
wont see me inside here, he thought, and immediately
the stupidity of what hed done hit him. The rats didnt
need to see anything. The rats navigated by their incredible
sense of smell. So what might have been a really decent
hiding place if you were being chased by people was
utterly worthless if you were trying to lose rats.
Yep, and here they were. He could hear their claws
screeching to a halt on the stone, then their panting,
and then their confusion.
Whats he doing? growled one.
No idea, said the second.
For a few moments, Gregor could hear nothing but
the pounding of his own heart. Then the second voice
sputtered, Oh, oh, you dont suppose hes hiding, do
you?

27

And thats when they started laughing. It was a

nasty, raspy laugh.
Come out, come out, wherever you are! said the
first voice, and the rats cracked up again. Gregor
couldnt see them, but he felt pretty sure they were
rolling around on the ground.
He had two choices. Climb back out and face the
rats in pitch blackness, or drop into the darkness below
and hope against hope that some Underlander scout
found him before he drowned or became somethings
dinner.
He was trying to weigh the odds of surviving. Either
way they were very low. Either way the likelihood of
finding Boots and bringing her home was
Drop, Overlander, purred a voice. For a second
he thought it was the rats, but it couldnt be because
they were still laughing and, anyway, it didnt sound
like them. It sounded like
Drop, Overlander, said the voice again, and this
time the rats heard it, too. He could sense them
springing to their feet.
Kill him! snarled the first, and as its hot, ratty
breath hit his fingers, Gregor stopped weighing his
odds and let go.
28

He could hear the scrape of claws on the stone

ledge he had been clinging to moments before, along
with a volley of strange rat curses.
Then the sickening sense of free-falling through
space consumed him. He had fallen like this twice
before, once when hed gone down the grate in his
laundry room after Boots, and once when hed leaped
into a huge void when he was trying to save his dad and
sister and friends. This, he thought, is something
Im never going to get used to.
Where was Ares? That was Aress voice hed heard,
wasnt it? For a second Gregor thought hed imagined
hearing the bat, but then he remembered the rats had
reacted to the sound, too.
Ares! he called out. The darkness absorbed his
voice like a towel. Ares!
Ooph! Gregor said, more in surprise than
anything, because suddenly the bat was under him and
he was riding, not falling, through the darkness.
Man, am I glad you showed up! said Gregor, his
hands clinging to the thick fur on Aress neck.
I am glad you are here also, Overlander, said Ares.
I am sorry you had to fall this far. I know this causes
you discomfort, but I was retrieving your light stick.
29

My light stick? said Gregor.

Behind you, said Ares.
Gregor turned around and saw a faint glow behind
him. He picked up his mini flashlight that had been
shining into the fur on Aress back. Thanks! The
light calmed him down a little.
Man, youll never guess what happened! Those
cockroaches came up in the park and took Boots!
They just stole her right out from under my nose!
And suddenly Gregor was really mad at the roaches.
I mean, what were they thinking? Did they think I
wouldnt notice?
Ares veered off to the right and began to fly over a
ridge along one side of the Waterway. No, Overlander,
they
Well, did they think I wouldnt care? Like it would
be okay just to grab her and run and Id be, like, Oh,
well, guess I wont be seeing Boots around.
They did not think that, said Ares.
Did they think I wouldnt come get her? And
theyd just be able to keep her and do their little dances
around her and sing Patty Cake and said Gregor.
The crawlers knew you would follow, Ares
slipped in, before Gregor lost it.
30

Of course, I followed! And man, when I get hold

of those bugs, theyd better have some really good
explanation for this whole thing. How far are we from
their place? said Gregor.
Several hours. But I am taking you to Regalia,
said Ares.
Regalia? I dont want to go to Regalia! said Gregor.
You take me to the roaches, and you take me there
now! ordered Gregor.
Thwack!
Gregor landed flat on his back. Ares had flipped
him over onto the stone ridge. Before he could speak,
the bat was on his chest, his claws digging deep into
his down jacket.
Aress face was just inches from Gregors. The bats
gums were pulled back over his teeth in a snarl. I do
not take orders from you, Overlander. Let us be clear
on this from the start. I do not take orders from you!
Whoa! said Gregor, startled by Aress intensity.
Whats your problem?
My problem is that at this moment, you are
reminding me a great deal of Henry, said Ares.
This was really the first time Gregor had ever gotten
a good look at Aress face. The light in the Underland
31

was usually dim. And Ares was particularly hard to

see because of his uniform blackness, black eyes, black
nose, black mouth set in his black fur. But in the direct
beam of the flashlight, he could see the bat was furious.
Ares had saved his life. Gregor had kept Ares from
banishment, which would have meant certain death.
They were bonded together and had sworn to fight to
the death for each other. But they had never exchanged
more than a handful of words. As Ares glared down at
him, Gregor realized he knew next to nothing about
the bat.
Henry? said Gregor, because he couldnt think of
anything else to say.
Yes, Henry. My old bond. You remember, I let him
smash to his death on the rocks so that I could give
you more time, Ares said almost sarcastically. And
right now I am wondering if I should not have let
you both fall because, like Henry, you are under the
impression that I am your servant.
No, Im not! objected Gregor. Look, we dont
even have servants where I come from. I just wanted to
go get my sister!
And I am trying to unite you with your sister as

32

quickly as I can. But, like Henry, you do not listen to

me, said Ares.
Gregor had to admit this was true. Hed kept talking
right over Ares every time the bat had tried to speak.
But he didnt like being compared with Henry. He was
nothing like that traitor. Still, maybe he had been out
of line.
Okay, Im sorry. I was mad and I should have
listened to you. Now get off my chest, said Gregor.
Get off my chest, what? said Ares.
Get off my chest now! said Gregor, getting angry
again.
Try again, said Ares. Because to me this sounds
very much like an order.
Gregor gritted his teeth and suppressed an impulse
to push the bat off. Get off my chest please.
Ares considered the request for a moment, decided
it was satisfactory, and fluttered off to the side.
Gregor sat up and rubbed his chest. He was
unharmed, but there were several deep holes in his
jacket where Aress claws had pierced the fabric.
Hey! Can you watch those claws? Look what you
did to my jacket! said Gregor.

33

It is of no matter. They will burn it, anyway, Ares

said indifferently.
It was at that moment that Gregor decided he was
bonded to a big jerk. And he felt pretty sure that Ares
had come to the same conclusion.
Okay, Gregor said coldly. So, we have to go to
Regalia. Why?
That is where the crawlers are taking your sister,
said Ares, matching Gregors tone.
And why would the crawlers want to take my
sister to Regalia? asked Gregor.
Because, said Ares, the rats have sworn to kill
her.

34

CHAPTER

ill her? But why? asked Gregor, stunned.

It is foretold by The Prophecy of Bane, said

Ares.
The Prophecy of Bane. Gregor remembered it
now. When he had left the Underland the first time, he
had told Luxa he would never come back, and she had
said, That is not what it says in The Prophecy of
Bane. And then hed tried to ask Vikus about it, but
the old man had been evasive and hustled him onto his
bat and given the command to leave. So, Gregor didnt
know what it meant, but the first prophecy in which
hed been mentioned had resulted in the deaths of four
members of a twelve-party quest and had triggered a
war that had killed countless others.

35

A feeling of dread swept over him. What does it

say, Ares?
Ask Vikus, Ares said shortly. I am tired of being
interrupted.
He climbed on Aress back, and they flew back to
Regalia without exchanging another word. Gregor
was angry with Ares but even angrier with himself for
placing his family in jeopardy again. Yes, Luxa had
mentioned The Prophecy of Bane. It was just that
once he and his mom had blocked that grate in the
laundry room, Gregor had put the idea of returning to
the Underland out of his mind. Avoid the laundry
room, avoid the Underland, hed reasoned. But how
could he have taken Boots to Central Park? He knew
about the entrance there! He knew there was a second
prophecy! It had been foolish to think it would be safe.
When they reached the beautiful stone city, it was
so quiet that Gregor thought it must be nighttime here.
Well, nighttime was relative, since the Underland had
no sun or moon, no day or night, like the Overland.
But Gregor figured it must be the time when most of
the city was asleep.
Ares headed for the palace and made a smooth

36

landing in the High Hall, the big, ceiling-less room

that could accommodate the arrival of many bats.
Standing patiently, all alone, was Vikus. The old
man looked exactly as Gregor remembered him, his
silver hair and beard trimmed very short, his violet eyes
in a web of wrinkles that was mostly noticeable when
he smiled. He was smiling now, as Gregor dismounted.
Hey, Vikus, said Gregor.
Ah, Gregor the Overlander! Ares has found you. I
thought it would be best to seek you in the passage
from your laundry room, but he insisted on scouting
the Waterway. I ascertain that, as bonds, you already
think alike, said Vikus.
Neither Ares nor Gregor responded. Since they
werent actually speaking to each other, it seemed
stupid to act like they had some special mental link.
Vikus glanced from one to the other and then
continued. So . . . welcome! You look well. And your
family?
Fine, thanks. Wheres Boots? said Gregor. He
liked Vikus, but this whole situation with the roaches
kidnapping Boots and the threat from the prophecy
killed his mood for small talk.

37

Ah, the crawlers should arrive with her shortly.

Mareth led a party to meet them, and I could not
dissuade Luxa from joining. By now, Ares has, of
course, explained our predicament to you, said Vikus.
Not really, said Gregor.
Vikus looked at each of them again, but neither
Gregor nor Ares elaborated.
Well, then. To begin with, we should examine
together The Prophecy of Bane. Perhaps you remember,
when you were departing the Underland, I made some
small mention of it, said Vikus.
Very small, Gregor muttered. What he remembered was that Vikus had rushed him off and told him
absolutely nothing.
Let us proceed to Sandwichs room now. Ares, you
will attend as well, please, Vikus said, and headed off
into the palace.
Gregor followed him with Ares fluttering along
behind.
Vikus did not resume the conversation until theyd
reached a solid wooden door. He pulled a key from his
cloak and turned it in the lock. The door swung open.
You will find it on your right, he said, and motioned
for Gregor to enter ahead of him.
38

Gregor pulled a torch from a holder by the door and

walked in to the room. It was entirely covered in tiny
words carved into the stone walls in the 1600s by the
founder of Regalia, Bartholomew of Sandwich. The
words formed prophecies, visions of Sandwichs, that
the Underlanders lived and died by. The first time Gregor
had been in the room, the wall facing the door had
been illuminated with a small oil lamp. That was where
Sandwich had carved The Prophecy of Gray. Now
that area was in shadow. The lamp had been moved to
the wall on his right. Above it was what looked like a
poem. This must be it. The Prophecy of Bane.
Gregor lifted his torch to get a clearer view and
began to read:
IF UNDER FELL, IF OVER LEAPED,
IF LIFE WAS DEATH, IF DEATH LIFE REAPED,
SOMETHING RISES FROM THE GLOOM
TO MAKE THE UNDERLAND A TOMB.

HEAR IT SCRATCHING DOWN BELOW,

RAT OF LONG-FORGOTTEN SNOW,
EVIL CLOAKED IN COAT OF WHITE
WILL THE WARRIOR DRAIN YOUR LIGHT?
39

WHAT COULD TURN THE WARRIOR WEAK?

WHAT DO BURNING GNAWERS SEEK?
JUST A BARELY SPEAKING PUP
WHO HOLDS THE LAND OF UNDER UP.

DIE THE BABY, DIE HIS HEART,

DIE HIS MOST ESSENTIAL PART.
DIE THE PEACE THAT RULES THE HOUR.
GNAWERS HAVE THEIR KEY TO POWER.

Gregor didnt know what it meant any more than he

had understood The Prophecy of Gray. But his mind
snagged on one phrase that chilled him to the bone:
Die the baby . . . Die the baby . . . Die the baby . . .
Boots . . .
Okay, I want to go through this whole thing.
Right here, right now, said Gregor.
Vikus nodded. Yes, I think it wise we dissect the
prophecy immediately. It is not as cryptic as the first,
but there are things you must know. Shall we begin at
the beginning? He moved to the prophecy and
brushed his fingers over the first two lines. You have
fresh eyes, whereas I have read this thousands of
times. Tell me, Gregor, what make you of this?
40

Gregor looked at the lines more closely this time . . .

IF UNDER FELL, IF OVER LEAPED,
IF LIFE WAS DEATH, IF DEATH LIFE REAPED,

. . . and realized he did know what they meant. Its

about me and Henry. Im the Over, I leaped. Henrys
the Under, he fell. I lived, and he died.
Yes, and King Gorger and his rats also died, reaping much life in the Underland, said Vikus.
Hey, how come you didnt tell me about this
before? Then maybe I would have known what was
coming! said Gregor.
No, Gregor, it is clear only in hindsight. Under
could have referred not only to Henry, but to any
other Underland creature, or the Underland itself.
Over could have been your father. Your leap may not
have been a literal leap but a mental or spiritual leap.
Henrys fall might have alluded to any variety of
physical deaths, not to mention a fall from power or
honor. In truth, a human Underlander literally falling
to his death was not a popular interpretation. Henry
never would have suspected he would die in such a
way, said Vikus.
41

Why not? asked Gregor.

Vikus glanced at Ares and hesitated.
Because he would have expected me to catch
him, Ares said bluntly.
Yes, said Vikus. So, you see that the first
prophecy was indeed gray to us, although now, of
course, it seems as clear as water. Shall we go on?
Gregor read the next bit to himself.
SOMETHING RISES FROM THE GLOOM
TO MAKE THE UNDERLAND A TOMB.

So, something bad is coming. Something deadly,

said Gregor.
Not just coming. It is here, and has been here for
some time. Only the rats have concealed it, even from
their own. You will find more about it in the next
stanza, Vikus said, gesturing to the next four lines.
HEAR IT SCRATCHING DOWN BELOW,
RAT OF LONG-FORGOTTEN SNOW,
EVIL CLOAKED IN COAT OF WHITE
WILL THE WARRIOR DRAIN YOUR LIGHT?

42

Gregor studied the lines for a minute. Its a rat. A

white rat?
The color of long-forgotten snow, for we do not
get snow in the Underland. Although I imagine it to be
very beautiful, Vikus said a bit wistfully.
It is, said Gregor. Theres snow everywhere
right now. It makes everything look better. It did, too,
when it had just fallen. It covered up the dirt and the
trash, and for a while the city looked clean and fresh.
And then it turned to slush. So, this white rat . . . ?
It is the stuff of legends. Even when he lived in the
Overland, Sandwich knew tales of the white rat.
Historically, one will appear every few centuries, gather
other rats about it, and create a reign of terror. It is
remarkable in cunning, strength, and size, said Vikus.
Size? said Gregor. You mean its even bigger
than the other rats down here?
Considerably so, said Vikus. As legend has it.
And at this point in time, the only thing that stands
between this creature and the Underland is you. The
warrior. You are a threat to it. That is why the white
rat has been so carefully concealed. The rats do not
want you to find it. But you also have a vulnerability.

43

Vikus tapped the third stanza, and Gregor read on.

WHAT COULD TURN THE WARRIOR WEAK?
WHAT DO BURNING GNAWERS SEEK?
JUST A BARELY SPEAKING PUP
WHO HOLDS THE LAND OF UNDER UP.

Do you know what is meant by pup? asked Vikus.

Ripred called Luxa and Henry pups once, when
they wouldnt obey him, said Gregor. And suddenly
he wondered how much the large, scarred rat who had
helped save his father knew about all this.
He undoubtedly said it sarcastically, and to remind
them he was in charge. For, to rats, a pup is a baby.
The only baby we know of who is close to you is
Boots, said Vikus.
Gregor felt his eyes pulled to the last stanza of the
prophecy.
DIE THE BABY, DIE HIS HEART,
DIE HIS MOST ESSENTIAL PART.
DIE THE PEACE THAT RULES THE HOUR.
GNAWERS HAVE THEIR KEY TO POWER.

44

So, they think that if they Gregor could hardly

say it kill Boots, something will happen to me.
It will break you somehow, said Vikus. And if
that happens, the rats will overtake the rest of us.
No pressure or anything, Gregor said, but he felt
very scared. Youre sure its Boots?
As sure as we may dare be. Your closeness to her
is well known. That you sacrificed yourself, that you
leaped rather than let King Gorger kill her this
made a great impression on everyone. Can you think
of another baby it could be, Gregor? Vikus asked
solemnly.
Gregor shook his head. It was Boots. And they were
right about one thing: If they killed her, something in
him would break. So, why did you bring her down
here? Why didnt you just leave her in the Overland,
where she was safe?
Because she was not safe. And neither were you.
The crawlers watch you night and day, to protect
you, said Vikus.
The roach he had trapped in the mayonnaise jar
that morning flashed before his eyes. You mean the
little ones?

45

Yes, they are in communication with the larger

ones below. But the rats watch you as well. They have
been tracking your familys movements since shortly
after you left the Underland, waiting for a chance to
take your sisters life, said Vikus. It was not possible
in your home. But today you ventured out with her
very near one of the gateways.
We went sledding in Central Park, said Gregor.
Then Ares spoke up. The Overlander was chased
in the tunnels by gnawers. He had to drop into the
Waterway to escape them.
Then the crawlers must have rescued Boots just in
time. She was the rats target today, Gregor, said
Vikus.
Why not just kill me? Gregor asked numbly.
They would be happy to. But they have seen you
leap and live to tell of it, so they are less confident in
such a goal, answered Vikus. And at the moment
they are more concerned with the prophecy. It is by
killing Boots that they mean to destroy you.
I still think we would be safer in the Overland. We
just wont go to Central Park. Well keep Boots
inside. . . . But Gregor wasnt really sure it would be
safer.
46

I will send you back directly, if that is what you

wish. But they will find her, Gregor, now that they are
set on it. In their minds, it is a race. They must kill
Boots before the white rat is killed. Only one may
survive. Believe it or not, we brought her to the
Underland to protect her, said Vikus.
And to protect yourselves, Gregor said flatly.
Yes. And to protect ourselves, said Vikus. But as
our destinies are intertwined, it seemed one and the
same thing. So, what will it be? Shall we take you
home, or will you play out your hand with us?
Gregor thought about the scraping sounds he
sometimes heard in the walls of their apartment. They
made his mom nervous even though his dad said it was
probably just mice. But what if it was rats? And what
if they were just a few inches of plaster away, watching
Boots? Watching and waiting and reporting to the
giant rats below.
There was a skittering sound at the door. Gregor
looked over to see Boots riding in the door on the back
of a giant roach with a bent antenna.
Ge-go! She giggled. I ride! Temp take Boots
ride!
She was so happy . . . and tiny . . . and powerless . . .
47

he couldnt watch her twenty-four hours a day . . . he

had to go to school . . . there was no one else to
protect her . . . even he had been worthless today . . .
if it happened again, the rats could kill her in a New
York minute. Not even.
Were staying, said Gregor. Were staying until
this thing is over.

48

CHAPTER

o, Ge-go! Boots told Temp, tapping her heels on

the roachs shell, and he obediently carried her

over to Gregor. She slid off and ran over and hugged
his leg.
Hey, Boots, he said, ruffling her curls. Whereve
you been?
I go ride! Fast! Fast ride! she said.
Do you remember Vikus? Gregor asked, gesturing
to him.
Hi! Hi, you! Boots said happily.
Welcome, Boots, said Vikus. We have missed
you.
Hi, bat! Boots said, waving to Ares, although
Gregor had been ignoring him.
Hey, Temp, Gregor said to the cockroach. Next
49

time, do you think you could tell me before you run

off with Boots? You freaked me out.
Hates us, the Overlander, hates us? asked Temp.
Oh, great, now hed hurt the roachs feelings. They
were so thin-skinned. Well, thin-shelled. No, I dont
hate you, come on. It just scared me when you took
Boots. I didnt know where she was, said Gregor.
With us, she was, with us, said Temp, confused
now.
Yeah, I know that. Now. But I didnt know in the
park, said Gregor. I was worried.
Hates us, the Overlander, hates us? repeated
Temp.
No! I just need you to tell me if youre going to
take her somewhere, said Gregor. Temps antennas
drooped noticeably. This was going nowhere fast. He
shifted gears. But, Temp? Thanks a lot for getting
Boots away from the rats. You did a great job.
Temp perked up. Rat bad, he said with conviction.
Yeah, Gregor agreed. Rat very bad.
At that moment, Luxa appeared in the doorway.
Her silvery blond hair had grown out a little, she
was a bit taller, but it was the lilac circles under

50

those violet eyes that caught Gregors attention. He

wasnt the only one whod been having a rough time
lately.
Welcome, Gregor the Overlander, said Luxa,
approaching him but not touching him.
Hey, Luxa, how you doing? asked Gregor.
Her hand reached up distractedly and gave a quick
nudge to the gold band around her head. Almost like
she wanted to shove it off. Fine, I am fine.
She wasnt fine. Clearly the girl hadnt been sleeping
well. She did not look happy. But she still had that
arrogant tilt to her head, that half smile. She still stood
like a queen. So, you have come back after all.
Didnt have much choice, said Gregor.
No, said Luxa stonily. You and I never seem to
have much choice. Are you hungry?
I hungry. I hungry! said Boots.
We missed dinner, Gregor said, although his
stomach was too knotted up to feel hungry.
You need to bathe and dine and then sleep. Solovet
says you must begin training on the morrow, said Luxa.
Says she so? Vikus asked, sounding a bit surprised.
Yes. Did she not tell you? said Luxa, giving Vikus

51

a mocking look to which he did not respond. They had

a funny relationship. Vikus was her grandfather but,
since her parents had been killed by rats, he was also
the closest thing she had to a father. And he was
supervising and training Luxa to take on the full
responsibilities of being the queen of Regalia when she
reached sixteen. Gregor thought it must be complicated
for them, being so many things to each other.
I will see you on the field, Gregor, Ares, Luxa
said, and left.
Gregor and Boots were taken to the bathrooms by
a couple of Underlanders hed never met. The young
woman took Boots into the locker room for girls,
while a guy escorted Gregor to his side.
He caused a scene by running out of the bathroom,
dripping wet, with just a towel around him, to ask the
guy not to burn their clothes. Ares was right, turning
their clothes to ashes was standard, but Gregor knew
it would cost a lot to replace them. And he really
didnt want to lose his boots.
But . . . your clothes carry much scent. The gnawers
will know you are here, the guy said uncertainly.
Oh, thats okay. I mean, they already know Im
here. Two of them chased me to the Waterway, said
52

Gregor. So, could you just . . . I dont know, maybe

you could put them in the museum or something.
Thats all Overlander stuff, right?
Relieved at the suggestion, the guy went off to ask
Vikus.
They were fed a big meal: beef stew, bread,
mushrooms, those things that reminded Gregor of sweet
potatoes but werent, and some kind of cake. Boots ate
with gusto, which reminded him shed had little more
than a bowl of oatmeal and a peanut butter sandwich
that day. At least the rest of his family would have the
scalloped potatoes for dinner. If anyone could eat.
Oh, this whole thing was his fault! If only hed kept
an eye on Boots, the roaches never would have run off
with her. But then, the rats could have reached her first.
He guessed he ought to feel grateful to everybody here
for rescuing her, and he did, on one level. But on
another, he resented them for dragging him back into
their troubled world. What was it Vikus had said?
. . . as our destinies are intertwined, blah, blah, blah,
blah. He wanted no part of it, but here he was. Again.
Boots conked out the minute her head hit the pillow,
but Gregor felt restless and anxious. He couldnt sleep
thinking about his family, the threat to Boots, and the
53

looming presence of some giant white rat out there

somewhere, waiting for him. He finally gave up and
decided to take a walk around the palace. It should be
fine; he wasnt trying to escape or anything this time.
The doorways he passed seemed to lead to peoples
living quarters. The common rooms, like the High
Hall or the dining rooms, were open. But on Gregors
floor, curtains blocked most of the rooms from view.
Stone doors must not have been practical, and the only
wooden door hed ever seen in the Underland led to
the room filled with Sandwichs prophecies.
Gregor had been walking about ten minutes when
he heard voices coming from one of the rooms. They
were somewhat muffled by the curtain, but still audible
because the people were arguing. It was Vikus. . . .
You should have told me about the training. I
should have had a say in it!
And who was he talking to?
Yes, yes, we could have gone round and round
while you tried to think of some way to protect him,
but it is not possible. No matter what you want.
It sounded like Solovet. She was Vikuss wife, Luxas
grandmother, and the head of Regalias military. Usually

54

she spoke in a gentle, stately voice. But Gregor had

heard her barking orders in combat. Solovets ability
to swing between gracious lady and soldier unnerved
him because he never knew which one to expect. She
sounded more like the soldier now.
Gregor didnt want to eavesdrop, so he turned to
slip away. But then he heard his name and couldnt
help listening.
And what of what Gregor wants? Does he have no
say in this? He pushed away the sword, Solovet. He
does not wish to fight, said Vikus.
None of us wish to fight, Vikus, said Solovet.
Vikus made a sound like Hm, which suggested
he thought maybe somebody in the room enjoyed
fighting.
None of us wish to fight, Solovet repeated in a
steely voice, but we all do. And the prophecy calls
Gregor the warrior, after all. Not the peacemaker.
Oh, the prophecies are often misleading. He is
called a warrior, but perhaps his weapons are not the
ones we are familiar with. He did very well last time
with no common weapon, said Vikus. I am telling
you he pushed away Sandwichs sword!

55

Yes, when he was safe and he thought everything

was over. But I remember he asked for a sword on the
quest, shot back Solovet.
But he had no need of it. He was better off
without it, I think, said Vikus.
And I think that if you send him out unarmed this
time, you guarantee his death, said Solovet.
Then there was silence.
Gregor retreated from the doorway as quickly as
possible and somehow made it back to his room.
The little sleep he had that night was filled with
disturbing dreams.

56

CHAPTER

he next morning Gregor was exhausted and in a

bad mood. Another Underlander hed never met

served him breakfast. He left Boots under the care of the

woman whod bathed her the night before, and headed
out. Today, he was supposed to start his training.
Whatever that was.
After walking down a few halls, Gregor realized he
had no idea where to go. Luxa had mentioned something about a field. Did she mean that sports arena? It
was the first thing he had seen in Regalia, the large
stone oval where the Underlanders played some kind
of ball game on bats. It was a twenty-minute hike from
the palace.
Gregor eventually made his way to an exit flanked
by two guards. Outside the doorway was a platform
57

attached by ropes. When he asked the guards if they

would lower him to the ground, they reacted with
surprise. Did not your flier arrange to meet you in the
High Hall to carry you to training? said one.
Ares and Gregor had parted ways the previous
night without exchanging a single word. No, Ares
must have forgotten, he said.
Ah, yes, Ares, the guard said, and gave his partner
a significant look.
Although Gregor was angry with Ares, he didnt
like what it implied. I forgot, too, he said. I should
have reminded him.
The guards nodded and made way for him to step
onto the platform, which they then lowered the two
hundred feet to the ground. Although the passage was
smooth and uneventful, Gregor clutched the ropes
tensely. The Underland provided endless opportunities
to renew his fear of heights.
The city was bustling with pale-skinned, violet-eyed
inhabitants going about their business. A lot of people
stared at him, but if he caught their eye they gave him
a respectful nod. A few even bowed. They knew him,
or at least of him. He was the warrior who had saved
their city from destruction. He actually enjoyed the
58

attention for a while, and then he realized that they

were probably thinking about how he had to go after
that giant white rat. He wondered how many soldiers
they would send with him to kill it. Something that
big, that vicious . . . it might take a whole army!
When he arrived at the arena, it was clear that he
was late. Groups of Underlanders of all ages were
spread around the moss-covered ground doing various
kinds of stretches and calisthenics. It didnt seem all
that different from how they warmed up in track
practice. As he looked around for Luxa, a voice caught
his attention:
Overlander! You are back! And before he knew
it, Mareth had him in a rib-crushing hug. The soldier
was one of his favorite Underlanders.
Hey, Mareth, he said. Hows it going?
Very well, now that you are here. Come, you are
to do general training with me, Mareth said, pointing
Gregor toward a bunch of kids his own age.
As they jogged across the field, they passed a group
of children drilling with swords. None of them looked
more than six years old. Apparently it was never too
soon to start training for war in the Underland.
Gregor spotted Luxa and took a place near her.
59

They only had time for a nod before the class was back
in session.
Mareth led them through a series of stretches.
Gregor wasnt naturally limber. But Luxa could twist
herself around like a pretzel.
Then there were some strengthening exercises,
pretty standard push-ups, sit-ups, leg lifts. Finally, they
ran laps around the arena. Gregor loved to run both
sprints and distance. He felt satisfaction that he was the
only one in his group able to keep pace with Mareth,
who congratulated him at the end.
The glow from Mareths praise quickly evaporated
as they moved on to tumbling. They had gymnastics
every year in gym class, and it was just something
Gregor lived through until basketball started. He was
too tall and lanky for it and seemed to end most moves
by falling flat on his back. Which is what he did now.
Luxa stood over him, trying not to laugh. When
you roll, you cannot unbend your knees until your feet
are on the ground, she said, offering him a hand up.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, he said, letting her pull him up.
Gymnasts were always giving you helpful tips like you
could actually win the battle with gravity if you just
concentrated hard enough.
60

Mareth called for her to demonstrate a trick, and

off she went into some amazing run of twisty flippy
things, landing on her feet as easily as Gregor would
hop off a curb. The other Underlanders broke into
spontaneous applause, and Luxa gave them one of her
rare smiles. Then she came back and tried the hopeless
task of teaching Gregor a cartwheel.
While she was explaining the mechanics for about
the eighteenth time, Hand, hand, foot, foot, not two
hands then both feet, something caught her eye, and
her face fell.
Gregor followed her gaze to the entrance of the
arena, where a group of five kids was standing. He
hadnt seen them before. Whos that?
My cousins. They must have just arrived in
Regalia, Luxa said stiffly.
Gregor looked at the group in surprise. I thought
your only cousins were Henry and, whats her name,
the nervous girl?
Nerissa, said Luxa. Yes, Nerissa and . . .
Henry. The name cost her some effort to say. They
are the only royal cousins I have ever had. Our fathers
were brothers, sons of a king, and of the royal family.
The cousins at the entrance spotted Luxa and began
61

to head over. She nodded at them with obvious dislike.

These five I am related to on my mothers side. They
are not of royal blood, although they greatly desire to
be so.
Not crazy about them, huh? said Gregor.
They make fun of Nerissa. Of her gift and her
frailty, said Luxa. No, we do not . . . that is, I do
not like them.
Gregor could tell that she and Henry had been
we for so long that even months after his death she
had trouble thinking of herself apart from him. This
was, of course, complicated by the fact that he had
utterly betrayed her to the rats in order to gain power
himself. If you thought about it, it was no wonder
Luxa had those lilac circles under her eyes.
They are only here on a visit from the Fount.
Hopefully it will be a short one, said Luxa.
Luxa and her cousins exchanged brief, formal
greetings, and then she introduced Gregor to them.
The oldest, Howard, was probably about sixteen and
looked like he worked out a lot. There was a girl named
Stellovet, maybe thirteen or so, who had flowing, silvery
blond curls and was strikingly pretty. Next in line was
a pair of younger twins, a girl named Hero and a boy
62

called Kent. Lastly, there was a little girl, maybe five or

so, clinging to Stellovets hand. Her name sounded like
the word chimney, but he didnt think hed gotten
that right.
They had trouble taking their eyes off Gregor. He
was probably the first Overlander theyd ever seen.
Greetings, Gregor the Overlander. We have heard
much of your deeds and are grateful for your return,
Howard said, civilly enough.
No problem, Gregor said, although his return
was very problematic.
Oh, said Stellovet, her voice dripping with honey,
we were so glad you were there to defend Luxa on
the quest.
Uh-huh. Well, Id have been rat meat about three
times if it wasnt for Luxa, so I guess it evens out, said
Gregor.
Stellovets eyes narrowed, but she gave him a sweet
smile. Yes, Luxa is something of an expert on rats.
No matter how many legs they have.
It was a horrible thing to say. It was clear she meant
Henry. Gregor knew kids like that, kids who would
take something really awful in your life and use it
against you. And there was nothing you could say
63

about it because the thing was true. He felt a deep and

instant dislike of Stellovet.
To his credit, Howard seemed embarrassed. Stellovet
and the twins were smirking. The little girl, Chimney or
whatever her name was, was wide-eyed and confused.
Gregor didnt have to look at Luxa to know the pain
that must be registering on her face.
Gregor stared at Stellovet for a moment and then
said casually, So, where are you guys from?
We live at the Fount. Our father is in charge
there, Stellovet said with pride.
You get a lot of rats at the Fount? asked Gregor.
Not many, said Stellovet. Now she was watching
Gregor more closely. They are no doubt afraid of our
fighting abilities.
They have little reason to come, Howard said,
giving his sister a disapproving look. They would have
to swim their way up treacherous river rapids, and we
have no crops or Overlanders worth destroying.
Oh, so have you ever even seen a rat? Gregor
said pointedly to Stellovet.
She blushed, turning bright pink from head to toe.
Yes! I have seen a rat! On the riverbank! As close as
I am to you!
64

But, Stellovet, said little Chimney, tugging on her

hand, that rat was dead.
Stellovet blushed an even deeper shade of pink.
Hush! she said to Chimney angrily.
Thats about what I thought, said Gregor. Hey,
Luxa, werent you going to show me that flip thing
again?
If you will excuse us, cousins, Luxa said.
Luxa and Gregor turned and walked away. He
caught her eye. The hurt was still evident on her face,
but she gave him a smile. Thank you, Gregor, she
said softly.
Theyre idiots, he answered with a shrug. Go
ahead, Luxa, do one of those flip things. Do the
fanciest, wildest one you can think of.
Luxa paused for a moment, focused on a spot
halfway across the field, and took off. She launched
into a beautiful sequence of flips, ending with a move
where she turned two full times in the air completely
stretched out and landed on her feet. People applauded,
but she just jogged back to Gregor as if she didnt
notice. Now you try, she said.
Just give me some space, Gregor said, swinging
his arms as if to loosen up, and she laughed.
65

Then Mareth called them all together to begin

sword training. Howard and Stellovet had joined their
group. Everyone chose a sword from a large cart that
had been wheeled out onto the field. Gregor examined
the weapons, unsure of what to do.
Here, Overlander, try this one, said Mareth. He
picked up a sword, resting the bottom of the blade
against the back of his wrist, and offered Gregor the
hilt.
Gregors fingers closed around the handle, and he
felt the weight of the sword in his hand, heavy at the
hilt, light at the tip. He waved it a couple of times in
the air, and it made a swishing sound.
How does it feel? asked Mareth.
All right, I guess, said Gregor. It didnt feel like
much of anything, really. He was sort of relieved. All
that warrior stuff made him nervous. He didnt like
fighting, and he was glad he didnt feel any different
while holding the sword.
Mareth divided up the rest of the group into pairs
to practice drills. Then he took Gregor aside for his
first sword-fighting lesson. The soldier showed him
different attacks you could make with the blade, and
different ways to defend those attacks. Gregor didnt
66

really see the point in this, since it seemed unlikely

hed be fighting a human, but he guessed this was just
basic stuff that everybody had to learn.
After a while they broke to rest for a few minutes,
and then Mareth announced it was time for cannon
practice.
Cannon practice? Were going to shoot off
cannons? Gregor asked Luxa.
Oh, no, these are small cannons for sword practice.
To help with speed and accuracy, said Luxa. You
will see.
Three small cannons were wheeled onto the field.
Off to the side, Mareth set a barrel that was filled with
waxy things about the size of a golf ball. These are
blood balls, Luxa said, holding one out on her palm.
When Gregor took it, he could feel some sort of
liquid sloshing around inside it. Its filled with
blood? he asked, kind of grossed out.
No, only a red liquid to suggest blood. It makes it
easier to see if one has made a hit or not, said Luxa.
The three cannons were positioned in an arc and
loaded up with five blood balls each. The Underlanders
gathered in a circle outside the cannons.
So, who is brave enough to go first? Mareth
67

asked with a smile. Why not you, Howard? I remember

you did quite well the last time you visited.
Howard took his position between the cannons.
One faced him, one was on his right, the last on his
left. Each was about twenty feet away. On Mareths
command, three Underlanders started to crank handles
on the sides of the cannons. Blood balls began to rocket
out of the barrels straight at Howard. He swung his
sword back and forth, trying to cover his front and
sides. Seven blood balls burst as his blade made contact
with them. But another eight lay unharmed on the
ground around him. The whole thing only took about
ten seconds.
Well done, Howard! Well done, said Mareth,
and Howard looked pleased with himself.
Was that good? Gregor asked Luxa.
She shrugged. It was not bad was as much praise
as she could muster.
One by one, each of the students took their turn in
the line of fire. Some hit only one or two balls. Luxa
matched Howards seven, and Stellovet hit a respectable
five. When all the Underlanders had gone, Mareth
called for the cannons to be moved to another part of
the field.
68

Does not the Overlander take a turn? Stellovet

asked in an innocent voice.
This is his first day of sword practice, said
Mareth.
I suppose it is too daunting, said Stellovet, even
for one so accomplished.
I greatly doubt Gregor is daunted, Mareth said
with respect. But our weapons are unfamiliar to him.
Would you like to try it, Gregor? Only as an exercise.
Almost no one gets many on their first try.
Sure, why not? said Gregor. It was funny; he did
sort of want to. He had a feeling it was like those
county fairs hed been to in Virginia, though. They had
these games like tossing a softball into an old milk jug,
or getting a quarter to land on a glass plate. They
looked simple, but when you tried them, they were
next to impossible. Still, you had to try.
Gregor took his place between the cannons. He
held his sword out in front of him like hed seen the
Underlanders do. He felt that slightly anxious, slightly
excited feeling he had when it was his turn to bat in
baseball. He heard Mareth give the order to fire.
And then a strange thing happened. As the first
ball left the cannon in front of him, the arena, the
69

Underlanders, almost everything around him seemed

to mute and grow indistinct. He was aware only of the
blood balls flying toward him from all directions. His
arm was moving. He could hear his blade making a
whistling sound. Something splattered against his face.
And then it was over.
His surroundings came back into focus: first the
walls of the arena, then the shocked faces of the
Underlanders. He could feel liquid dripping off his face
and hands. The pounding of his heart was audible. He
looked down at the ground.
At his feet lay the oozing shells of fifteen balls.

70

CHAPTER

regor opened his fingers, and the sword fell to the

ground. It was shiny with the red liquid, which, if

it wasnt actually blood, sure looked like it. He ran his

sword hand across the front of his shirt, leaving a big
red stain. Suddenly he felt sick.
He turned on his heel and walked away from the
sword, from the blood balls, from the Underlanders
who were now beginning to talk in excited voices.
Word of what hed just done must have been spreading
around the arena, because people were rushing toward
the cannon area. He could feel them beginning to press
in on him, and someone, Mareth maybe, called his
name. It was becoming hard to breathe.
Suddenly Ares was there before him. I know a
place was all he said.
71

Gregor automatically climbed on his back, and they

took off. He could hear several people calling for him
as they flew out of the stadium, but Ares didnt stop.
They headed not in the direction of Regalia, but into
the tunnels opposite the entrance to the city.
You will want light, Ares said, angling in toward a
row of torches on the tunnel wall, and Gregor reached
out and snagged one. In the torchlight, his hand
glistened wet and red. He looked away.
Ares dove off into a side tunnel that forked repeatedly.
Eventually they arrived at a small underground lake
flanked by dozens of caves. The bat dove into one with
a narrow entrance. Inside, the cave opened up into a
wide space. Large crystal formations grew down from
the high ceiling. Gregor slid off Aress back and onto
the stone floor.
He pressed his forehead into his knees and let his
breathing return to normal. What had happened back
there? How had he hit all fifteen blood balls? Hed
been running sword drills with Mareth and nothing
unusual had happened, but when those blood balls
had started flying at him . . .
Did you see? Did you see what I did? he asked

72

Ares. He had seen some bats flying around the arena

that morning, but he hadnt noticed Ares.
The bat sat motionless for a moment, then answered.
You broke all the blood balls.
I hit them all, Gregor said, still trying to remember it. But I dont even know how to use a sword.
Apparently you learn quickly, said Ares, and somehow that made Gregor laugh a little. He looked around the
cave. There were food supplies, blankets, spare torches.
Whats this place? Like, your hideout? Gregor
asked.
Yes, my hideout, said Ares. At one time it was
also Henrys. We came here when we did not want to
be around others. Now it is less my hideout than my
home.
The implication of what the bat was saying began
to dawn on Gregor. So, you dont live with the other
bats anymore? I thought when I bonded with you it
made things okay again about Henry and all.
It spared me from official banishment. But no one
save Aurora and Luxa will speak to me, said Ares.
Not even Vikus? Gregor asked, forgetting his
own problems for a minute.

73

Well, yes, Vikus. But he will speak to anyone,

Ares said without much enthusiasm.
He had had no idea things were so bad for the bat.
If he hadnt been banished physically, he had been
banished socially from his world. And then when
Gregor had shown up again, all hed done was order
him around. Look, I really am sorry about yesterday,
he said. I was mad and scared about Boots, and I
took it out on you.
I was angry, too, about many things that have
little to do with you, said Ares.
So, it was better between them. But Gregor still felt
like Ares was a stranger.
Howd you hook up with Henry, anyway? he
blurted out. Maybe it wasnt polite to ask, but it was
the main thing Gregor wanted to know.
Henry chose me because I was wild and known to
disobey many of the rules of my land. I chose Henry
because I was flattered and he was royal and under his
protection I knew I could be absolved of many things,
said Ares. It was not all bad. We flew well together
and shared many of the same tastes. In most ways, we
were suited to each other. In one, we were not.
So among bats Ares had been some bad-boy rebel
74

type. Of course, that was the kind of bat Henry would

pick. Gregor had picked Ares, too, because the bat
had risked everything to save his life but would he
have chosen him if the circumstances hadnt been so
extraordinary? He didnt know.
There was a rustling of wings at the cave entrance,
and Aurora flew in with Luxa.
We knew you would be here! cried Luxa. She
bounced off Aurora and almost danced across the floor,
clapping her hands together. Was it not wonderful?
Did you see it? Did you see the look on Stellovets
face?
As if she had a mouth full of vinegar, Aurora
purred, apparently also in a good mood.
Why? said Gregor.
Why? Because of you and the blood balls! Luxa
said, as if he were dense. She thought to make you
look like a fool, and instead you hit the total! Almost
no one has ever done this, Gregor! It was brilliant!
For the first time, Gregor felt a tinge of pride in his
accomplishment. Maybe he had overreacted, because
of the fake blood and all. Maybe hed actually just
done a really cool thing, like running the table in pool,
or pitching a no-hitter in baseball. Yeah? he said.
75

Of course! And I have not seen Stellovet so put out

since the picnic! said Luxa, giggling at the memory.
The bats both began to make a huh, huh, huh
sound, and it took a moment for Gregor to realize they
were laughing.
Oh, Gregor, you should have seen it. Vikus forced
us all to go on this picnic with my Fount cousins
because he thought it would help us get along better.
And Stellovet kept pretending she heard rats, and
making Nerissa terrified. So Henry tricked her into
eating moth cocoons. She spent the whole afternoon
picking silk out of her teeth and saying, Ah will noth
forgeth thiseth! Luxa said, doing a pretty great
imitation of someone with their mouth full of silk.
Howd he get her to eat cocoons? Gregor asked,
both amused and grossed out.
He told her they were a delicacy reserved only for
royalty and he could not offer her any. So of course she
stole a handful and stuffed it in her mouth, said Luxa.
Henry could trick her into anything, Ares said,
followed by a few more huh, huh, huhs. And then
suddenly his laughter faded. He could trick all of us.
A cloud seemed to fall on the bats and Luxa. Henry

76

had treated them far worse than he had treated

Stellovet.
Whatever Henry was wrong about, he was right
about my Fount cousins, Luxa said grimly. Especially
Stellovet. She dreams of Nerissa and me dying because
she thinks Vikus would be made king then and she, as his
granddaughter, would be a princess.
They were all quiet for a time, then Aurora piped
up on a more positive note. Gregors feat will be
good for you, Ares.
We shall see, said Ares.
It will. It will do you no harm to have a bond who
can hit the total, said Luxa. No one will dare ignore
you now.
Gregor hoped this was true. It didnt seem like Ares
had much of a life.
Suddenly Aress and Auroras heads shot up. Luxa
listened a second and then leaped onto Auroras back.
They were gone in a flash.
Gregor could hear some kind of horn blowing in
the distance. It had a high, wailing pitch. What is it?
It is a warning, Overlander. You had best mount
up, said Ares.

77

Gregor grabbed a torch and threw his leg over

Aress neck. They were immediately airborne.
Warning? What kind of a warning? he asked as
they swerved out over the lake.
Ares spoke calmly, but his muscles were tense. It
means that rats have entered Regalia.

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CHAPTER

regor gripped Aress fur and immediately assumed

the worst. If rats were in Regalia, they must have

come for one thing: Boots!

Hurry, Ares! Please! said Gregor.
Yes, Overlander, I will hurry, said Ares. His
powerful wings were beating up and down in a blur.
And Luxa and Aurora will go straight to your sister.
It was only a few minutes, but it seemed to take
forever to get back to the arena. Gregor had visions of
an army of rats ripping their way across Regalia with
one target in mind. Maybe the giant white rat itself
had come to kill her!
As they sped into the stadium, a guard shouted at
them and waved at the massive stone doors that

79

separated the playing field from the city. There are

just the two! There, by the doors! Stay back!
Ares put on the brakes, but they were close enough
to get a good view of the battle on the ground. In front
of the doors were two rats fighting for their lives
against a dozen humans on bats. The smaller rat
seemed to be able to leap amazingly high off the
ground. It was not getting a lot of action, though,
because a much larger rat was shielding it from the
brunt of the attack.
The big rat was moving so quickly that Gregor
couldnt tell much about it. It was spinning in a circle,
springing from its front feet to its back feet, lashing
out at anything that came within reach of its claws and
teeth. He could see bats and humans getting wounded,
but not a single blow was landing on the rat. It was
like watching one of those martial arts movies where
no one can touch the main sensei or master or whatever,
it was like watching
Oh, no! Gregor exclaimed. Its him. Its got
to be
Ripred! Ares cut him off.
Stop them! said Gregor.
Ares was already diving. He swooped in from the
80

side, knocking two riders off the front line. He did a

figure eight that disoriented a few more, and did some
strange hovering motion in the air over Ripreds head.
Stop! yelled Gregor. Stop, hes a friend!
The Underlanders pulled back to avoid hitting him,
and began to shout angrily at Ares to move.
No, you dont understand! Hes on our side! Its
Ripred! Gregor hollered over the din. They heard the
name Ripred, and the Underlanders pulled back in
silence.
The big rat stopped spinning and fell almost lazily
on its back. Its scarred face broke into a big, fanged
grin, and it started to laugh. Oh, look at them,
Overlander. Are they not priceless?
Gregor wanted to laugh, too, because some of the
Underlanders mouths were literally hanging open, but
he stifled the impulse. Stop it, he said to Ripred.
Its not funny.
Ripred just guffawed even louder. You know it is!
You know you want to laugh, too!
It was such a silly thing to say in the midst of all the
tension that it caught Gregor off guard, and he did kind
of laugh. He stopped himself quickly, but it was too
late. Everyone had heard him. Just shut up, okay? he
81

said to Ripred, who ignored him completely as he

chortled in glee.
Can somebody get, like, Vikus, or Solovet, or
somebody? Gregor asked. None of the Underlanders
answered him or flew off. He noticed the smaller rat
hunkered back against the doors, wide-eyed and
panting. He figured it was a friend of Ripreds. Hey,
sorry about this. Im Gregor. Nice to meet you.
The rat pulled its gums back from its teeth and
hissed viciously at him, causing both Gregor and Ares
to flinch.
Ripred was beating his tail on the ground in a
spasm of hilarity. Oh! Oh! You neednt try to sweettalk her, he gasped. Twitchtip hates everybody!
The smaller rat, Twitchtip, snarled at Ripred. Then
she tore a hole in the moss with one slash of her paw
and buried her nose in it.
Okay, well, she was weird.
Ground formation, commanded a voice, and
Gregor turned to see Solovet on a bat coming in for
a landing. The Underlanders brought their bats down
in a tight diamond pattern. Ignoring Ripred, Solovet
walked through the soldiers and bats, sending the

82

wounded off to get medical attention. Then she

dismissed the rest.
By this time, Ripred had pulled himself together and
was stretched out comfortably on his side. Twitchtip
still had her nose buried in the hole in the moss. She was
breathing through her mouth in short, distressed puffs.
Solovet crossed to the rats, signaling Ares to land as
she went. She surveyed the invaders stonily. I have
just sent eleven of my ranks to the hospital.
Oh, I barely scratched them. I was just giving them
a little live rat practice, and I think we both have to
admit they need it, Ripred said with a significant nod.
You were supposed to meet an escort guard at
Queenshead tomorrow, said Solovet.
Was that tomorrow? I felt certain it was today.
And we waited and waited and poor Twitchtip was so
eager for her first glimpse of Regalia that I didnt have
the heart to disappoint her another minute. Right,
Twitchtip? Ripred said, poking the rat with the tip of
his tail.
Twitchtip yanked her nose from the moss, snapped
at Ripreds tail, which he whipped out of reach just in
time, and shoved her nose back in the earth.

83

Isnt she a charmer? Isnt she just irresistible? said

Ripred. And Ive had her all to myself on a journey
from the Dead Land. Imagine the fun.
Twitchtip glowered at him but didnt attack again.
And for what reason do we have the pleasure of
her company? Solovet asked, eyeing Twitchtip.
Why, I brought her as a gift. For you, for your
people, and for Gregor here. Yes, especially for Gregor,
said Ripred.
Gregor looked at the seething rat with alarm. For
me? Shes a gift for me?
Well, not literally. Its not as if I own her. But I made
a bargain with her. Shes agreed to help you find the
Bane, and Ive agreed to let her live with my merry little
band of rats in the Dead Land if she succeeds, said
Ripred. You see, she was driven out of the gnawers
land years ago and has been surviving on her own.
Because she is mad, Solovet said, as if that were
obvious.
Oh, no, not mad. Twitchtip is gifted. Show the
people what you can do, Twitchtip, said Ripred.
Twitchtip just glared at him. Go on, show them, or
its back to living with me, myself, and I for you.
Twitchtip reluctantly lifted up her head and brushed
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the moss and dirt from her nose. She tilted back her
chin, took a deep sniff, and grimaced. The boys sister
is located on the third level of a large circular structure
in a room with eight other pups and two grown ones.
Shes just eaten cake and milk. Shes cutting a new
tooth. Her catch cloth is wet, and her shirt is pink,
Twitchtip spat out. Then she crammed her nose back in
the moss.
Solovets eyebrows shot up. She is a scent seer?
Yes, her sense of smell is so unnaturally heightened
she can even detect color. She is one in a million. An
anomaly. A fluke. A pariah because her own species
finds her gift so disquieting. But very, very useful, I
think, to you, my dear Solovet, said Ripred.
She is not a bad fighter, either. If she has survived
alone in the Dead Land. For the first time, Solovet
smiled. Can you stay to dine, Ripred?
I can be persuaded, said Ripred. Have them make
the thing with the shrimp, wont you? And no skimping
on the cream.
No skimping on the cream, agreed Solovet.
And give Twitchtip plenty of food, but make it
bland. Handle it as little as possible. Your scent is
repulsive to her, said Ripred.
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Solovet gave orders for Twitchtip to be taken to a

remote cave outside Regalia, where the citys smells
wouldnt be so torturous to her.
Before they left, Solovet turned to Gregor. I have
not had time to welcome you properly, Gregor. I hear
you made quite a stir at training today.
I guess, said Gregor.
He hit the total, Solovet said to Ripred.
Did he? Ripred said, surveying him with interest.
Suddenly Ripreds tail came up out of nowhere and
sliced at Gregor. To Gregors surprise, he found the
rats tail clenched in his hand. He had reflexively
blocked it inches from his face.
Well, you cant teach that, Ripred said, slipping
his tail out of Gregors grasp.
Ripred went off to the palace with Solovet through
some secret passage to avoid causing a panic in the city.
Ares flew Gregor back to the palace. Guards
greeted him at the High Hall and, after a moment of
discomfort, they greeted Ares as well. Maybe Aurora
was right. Maybe things would be better for the bat
now that he was bonded to someone who could hit a
lot of blood balls.
In the bath, he scrubbed and scrubbed at the fake
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blood, but it still left a stain on his skin. He finally

gave up, hoping it would wear off before he went back
to school after the white rat was dead or whatever.
He went to get Boots from the nursery and was
happy to see Dulcet, the really nice nanny who had
cared for the toddler the first trip down. Hows she
been doing?
Oh, Boots has had a very good day. I think it has
been somewhat trying for Temp, though, said Dulcet,
nodding toward a corner.
For the first time, Gregor spotted the giant cockroach.
He was being decked out in dress-up clothes by a group
of little kids. Each of his insect legs wore a different kind
of shoe. His head poked out of a long purple gown that
bunched up around his neck. Pink ribbons festooned his
drooping antennas. Boots plunked a fuzzy hat on his
head, and the kids all jumped up and down, squealing
in delight.
Temp have hat! Temp have hat! she beamed at
Gregor as he came to get her.
Ohhh, Temp said mournfully. Ohhh.
He sure does, said Gregor. He looks real good,
too. But now its time for dinner, Boots. He knelt
down and whispered to Temp, Dont worry, buddy.
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Ill get you out of here. Trying not to laugh, he began

to untangle the poor insect from the clothes. Hed been
the object of Bootss dress-up games often enough to
feel sympathetic. This had probably been going on for
hours.
Unhappily, dinner turned out to be a reunion of
sorts for those who had gone on The Prophecy of
Gray quest those who had survived it, anyway. Of
the eight who had lived to tell the tale, only Gregors
dad was absent. Gregor, Boots, Luxa, Aurora, Ares,
Temp, and Ripred were all there, with Solovet and
Vikus presiding over the table. Maybe Vikus had
thought this would give them some kind of comfort,
but if the memories it brought up of the dead the
two spiders, Gox and Treflex, the cockroach, Tick, and
Luxas cousin, Henry were painful for Gregor, they
had to be excruciating for some of the other survivors.
It didnt help that this was the first time Boots
seemed to notice that Tick was gone. Boots had been
asleep with a high fever when Tick had given her life to
protect her. When theyd gotten back home, Boots had
talked about Tick as if she were fine. Gregor let her
because he didnt know how to explain to a two-yearold that her friend was dead and, besides, hed never
88

planned on coming back here, anyway. Now her little

voice going, Where Tick? Where Tick? sent jolts of
sadness through him.
After several minutes of Where Tick? almost
everyone had given up eating. Without even excusing
himself, Ares just up and flew out of the room, and
Temp hid under the table, making odd clicking noises
that Gregor thought might be some kind of cockroach
crying.
Even Ripred seemed to raise an eyebrow at the
guest list. Really, Vikus, did you think we were going
to swap war stories?
I thought it might be healing, said Vikus. That it
might help some accept their losses.
At that, Luxa sprang up, kicking her chair back
onto the floor behind her. She and Aurora were gone
in seconds.
And its working beautifully, said Ripred. Ah,
well, more for me. The rat hooked his paw around a
huge serving dish of shrimp in cream sauce and pulled
it in front of him. He stuck his entire face in the dish
and sucked it down. At least this distracted Boots,
who was so fascinated by his eating methods that she
dipped her own face in her plate to imitate him.
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Mm, Ripred said dreamily as he pulled his

dripping muzzle from the dish.
Mm, Boots echoed. She giggled, dropped her
face back in her dish, and slurped.
Ripreds long tongue swept around his jaws, cleaning
off the cream. Nothing like that in the Dead Land.
Nothing much of anything these days, of course. Since
the humans have cut the gnawers off from their main
fishing grounds.
Perhaps a little hunger will help them reflect on
their poor judgment in attacking us, Solovet said,
helping herself to a large serving of mushrooms.
Surely the gnawers are not really starving? asked
Vikus.
Arent they? said Ripred. You have driven them
back to the border of the ants. The rivers left open to
them are dangerous to fish and are downstream from
the crawlers, so the catch is small. What, in your mind,
are they feeding on?
There was silence.
Gregor tried to imagine being a rat and being hungry.
In his experience, being hungry didnt make you think
about anything but getting food or maybe, in the
rats case, getting even.
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Its not helping the grand plan. I have enough to

overcome as it is. And you reap what you sow, Solovet,
said Ripred.
Is this what you came to tell me, Ripred? Solovet
said, unmoved.
No. You know what youre doing. Or at least you
flatter yourself you do. I came to deliver Twitchtip and
to teach Gregor another trick he cant learn from
you. Ripred stuck an entire loaf of bread in his
mouth and pushed back from the table. Ready, boy?
For what? Gregor asked, watching the crumbs
fly out of Ripreds mouth.
Your first lesson, Ripred said with a big gulp. It
starts now.

91

CHAPTER

cholocation? Gregor said blankly. Youre going

to teach me echolocation? He was standing in a

circular cave somewhere deep beneath Regalia with

nothing but his mini flashlight.
Ripred slouched against a wall. Even for a rat, he
had terrible posture. When he fought, everything in his
body seemed to align and crackle with energy and
power. The rest of the time, he wasnt much to look at.
He reminded Gregor of one of those big baseball
pitchers who kind of lumber around with their
stomachs almost popping off their uniform buttons.
You wouldnt bet they could make it around the bases
without having to stop and catch their breath. But
put them on the pitchers mound and theyd fire off

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a hundred-mile-an-hour fastball that left the batter

cross-eyed.
As if even slouching had been too much of an effort
for him, Ripred slid down and lounged along the wall
of the cave. Yes, echolocation. Tell me what you
know about it.
I know bats use it. And dolphins, maybe. Its like
radar. They make a sound and it bounces off of
something and they can tell where it is without seeing
it, said Gregor. But people cant do that. I cant do
that.
Anybody can do it, to some extent. In the Overland,
some blind people use it with excellent results, said
Ripred. The Underland humans dont give it much
attention, but in this, they are fools. All the rest of us
down here use it to some degree.
You mean, the roaches and the spiders and
started Gregor.
All of us. Generations in the dark have helped the
skill evolve. But if you could master even the most
rudimentary elements of it, echolocation would be
invaluable to you, said Ripred. Say, for instance, if
you lost your light in a cave with a rat.

93

Gregor saw Ripreds tail coming, and his hand lifted

to block it, but the rat was ahead of him this time. It
was actually his hind foot that smacked the flashlight
out of Gregors hand and sent it spinning into the cave
wall twenty feet away. The beam pointed into the
stone, leaving them virtually in the dark.
Ripreds voice startled him. And now Im back
here, the rat said from behind him. Gregor whipped
around and, from somewhere off to his left, Ripred
whispered, Over here now.
The flashlight came spinning back across the floor
and bumped into Gregors feet. He picked it up and
saw the rat was again slouching against the wall, on the
far side of the cave from where the flashlight had been.
So teach me, Gregor said, unnerved.
Ripred began by having him close his eyes and
make a clicking sound, bouncing his tongue off the
roof of his mouth. Then he had to listen very carefully
to how it sounded. It was supposed to sound differently
when he directed it toward a cave wall than when he
directed it at Ripred. Then Ripred had him turn off his
flashlight and click and listen and point it wherever it
sounded like the rat might be.

94

He really did try, but hed only had about three hours
of sleep in the last two days, plus all the craziness of
being back in the Underland and the prophecy and the
training and
Focus, Overlander! This could save your life!
Ripred snarled as Gregor miscalculated his position
for the tenth time in a row.
This is stupid, Ripred it all sounds the same to
me! Gregor snapped back. I cant do it, okay?
No, not okay. You will practice. Every time you
get a chance down here and when you go home, if you
get home, whenever you can, ordered Ripred. You
may not master it, but clearly you can only improve!
Okay. Fine. Ill practice. Are we done? Gregor
asked with some attitude. Hed about had it with the rat.
Suddenly Ripreds nose was inches from his own.
The rats eyes were narrowed in anger.
Listen, Warrior, he hissed. One day you will
find that it matters not if you can hit three thousand
blood balls if you cannot locate one in the dark.
Understand?
Yeah, Gregor managed to get out. Ripred didnt
move. So, Ill practice. I will, said Gregor. For real.

95

Good. Now lets go get some sleep. Were both

done in, said Ripred.
As they silently made their way back toward the
city, Gregor wondered if Ripred would think twice
about killing him. When they had been on the quest to
get his dad, Ripred had kept him alive because they
had mutual need: Gregor needed Ripred to find his
dad. Ripred needed Gregor to help defeat King Gorger
so that he could be the leader of the rats someday.
Ripred must still need Gregor for The Prophecy of
Bane. But when Gregor had stopped being of use to
the rat, would he be expendable?
Gregors feet dragged as he climbed up the flights of
stairs toward where he thought his bedroom was. It
was very late here probably about the time hed
come into the city the previous night and everyone
was asleep. He got lost and couldnt find anyone to give
him directions. As he was wandering around, looking
for a guard, he came upon the wooden door that shut
off the room filled with Sandwichs prophecies.
The door was cracked open. This was strange; he
thought they kept it locked all the time. Someone must
be inside.

96

He pushed the door open wider and stepped in.

Hello? Anybody in here?
At first he thought the room was empty. The lamp
was still lit under The Prophecy of Bane, but no one
appeared to be reading it. Then he heard a faint
rustling sound in the far corner, and she stepped into
the light.
Oh! Gregor jumped, not just because he was
startled but because the sight of her was spooky. He
had only seen Nerissa once. She had been saying goodbye to her brother, Henry, as they left on the quest. He
remembered she was very thin and seemed nervous.
She had given him a copy of The Prophecy of Gray
to take on his journey. Luxa had told him she could see
the future or something.
If she had been thin before, she was now emaciated.
Her eyes shone huge and hollow in the torchlight.
Where Luxa had lilac circles under her eyes, Nerissas
were underscored with dark purple crescents. Her
hair, which fell down far below her waist, was loose
and tangled. Even though she was wrapped in a thick
cloak, she acted like she was freezing.
Oh, Im sorry. Didnt mean to Im just I was

97

just looking for sleeping I mean, looking for where

I sleep. My bedroom. Sorry. Gregor started to back
out of the room.
No, wait, Overlander, Nerissa said in a tremulous
voice. Stay a moment.
Oh, okay, sure, Gregor said, wishing very badly he
could get out of there. So, howve you been, Nerissa?
he said, and then cringed. How did he think shed
been?
I have been unwell, Nerissa said tiredly. But it
was not self-pitying, which somehow made it sadder.
Look, Im sorry about your brother, about
Henry, said Gregor.
I think it is best he is dead, said Nerissa.
You do? Gregor said, taken aback by her
bluntness.
When one considers the alternatives, said Nerissa.
Had he been successful in banding with the gnawers,
we would all be dead. You, your sister, your father. All
of my people. Henry, too. But, of course, I miss him
greatly.
Well, she might be a wreck, but Nerissa was not
afraid to look things in the eye. Do you know why he
did it? Gregor ventured to ask.
98

He was afraid. I know that. And I think somehow

in his mind he felt that joining with the rats would give
him the security he longed for, said Nerissa.
He was wrong, said Gregor.
Was he? Nerissa said, and she smiled. Which was
extra spooky.
I thought so. Didnt you just say . . . if hed got his
way, wed all be dead? said Gregor. Maybe she was
kind of crazy, after all.
Oh, yes. His methods were undoubtedly flawed.
Nerissa lost interest in their conversation and wandered
over to The Prophecy of Bane. Her bony fingers
reached up and ran slowly across the letters, as if she
were reading Braille. And what of you, Warrior? Are
you ready to face the Bane?
The Bane. Ripred had said something about the
Bane. You mean . . . the prophecy? Gregor asked,
confused.
Vikus did not tell you? We call the white rat the
Bane, said Nerissa. Do you know what that means?
Not exactly, Gregor admitted.
It means a scourge, said Nerissa.
Wow, that was helpful. A scourge. Still not clear,
said Gregor.
99

A calamity, an affliction. Nerissa searched his

face for signs of understanding. A very bad thing,
she said finally.
Oh, I got you, said Gregor. Well, yeah, the rat.
Vikus says Im a threat to it or something. Im supposed
to help you guys kill it.
Nerissa looked bewildered. Help us? Oh, no,
Gregor, you must drain its light. See, it is written here.
Her fingers rapidly passed over a line on the wall.
WILL THE WARRIOR DRAIN YOUR LIGHT?

When Vikus had gone over the prophecy the night

before, Gregor had been so consumed with the rats
wanting to kill Boots, he hadnt focused much on this
line. And Vikus hadnt elaborated. For the Underlanders,
the word light was interchangeable with the word
life. So, when they talked about draining somethings
light, they meant killing it. The mission was to kill the
Bane. He knew that. But Gregor had assumed the
Underlanders would send a lot of soldiers with him.
Trained soldiers.
The line pounded into his brain.

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WILL THE WARRIOR DRAIN YOUR LIGHT?

Gregor began to get a very bad feeling. Oh, man, he

said. You mean, theres this giant white rat . . . and
you guys expect me to . . . by myself . . . you mean,
Im supposed to . . .
Kill it, Gregor, said Nerissa. The Bane must die
by your hand alone.

101

PART 2

The Hunt

CHAPTER

10

aybe you didnt actually have to have sleep.

Maybe it was something people got used to

having, and thought they needed, but could really get

by without. Gregor hoped so, because despite his
complete state of exhaustion, hed just spent the night
without a wink of it.
Mostly hed been trying to imagine the big white rat
he was supposed to kill by himself. A rat much larger
and, presumably, stronger than Ripred. So Gregor
figured the Bane was at least twice as tall as he was
and probably weighed, oh, nine or ten times as much.
Who cared if Gregor could hit a bunch of blood balls?
This thing would squash him like a fly.
Of course, Vikus hadnt gone into any detail about
it. The same way he had never really spent much time
105

dwelling on the fact that four of the twelve questers

would be dead when The Prophecy of Gray was
fulfilled. He had a way of sidestepping issues he thought
Gregor couldnt handle. How long would Vikus have
put off telling him he had to kill the Bane alone? As
long as possible. Gregor pictured himself gaping in
terror at the salivating white giant while Vikus tapped
him on the shoulder and said in an upbeat voice, Oh,
yes, and by the way, according to Sandwich, you have
to kill him single-handedly. Off you go, then!
Gregor remembered when he was standing in Central
Park, barely over a day ago, and how his biggest worry
had been how they were going to afford Christmas
presents. Nothing like one of Sandwichs prophecies to
put your whole world in perspective.
He shifted his chin to his other hand and tried to
focus on the babble of voices around the stone table.
Vikus had called a council meeting to discuss his
journey to find and kill the Bane. The council was a
group of older Underlanders who would govern Regalia
by committee until Luxa turned sixteen and was of age
to rule.
The only thing the members agreed on was that
Gregor needed to get moving as soon as possible. Since
106

the rats knew that Gregor and Boots were in the

Underland again, they would surely take extra measures
to conceal the Bane and hunt down his sister.
Apparently Regalian spies also had brand-new
information and had just locked in on an area where
they thought the white rat was hiding. Although none
of them had personally seen the creature, their sources
indicated it was in a place called the Labyrinth. The
word meant nothing to Gregor, but Ares whispered to
him that a labyrinth was a maze. Lizzie and her puzzle
book flashed before his eyes. She would be so much
better than he would at finding her way around a
maze. Thinking of Lizzie made him think of the rest of
his family waiting and wondering above, and the
thought was unbearable.
Yeah, lets get going. The sooner the better!
Gregor said, and everyone looked at him in surprise
since it was the first thing hed said all morning and
the council was currently talking about which way to
travel to the Labyrinth.
Although they examined several options, every route
that went through the web of Underland tunnels was
judged too dangerous. While the humans controlled a
much wider range of the Underland than they had
107

before the war, the Labyrinth was situated in a remote

corner of the rats land. So remote, in fact, that most
rats never even went there. But if they had the Bane
there, it was sure to be guarded.
That leaves the Waterway, Vikus said with a
frown. It is not ideal, but it is the least treacherous.
What of the serpents? Their mating season is
nigh, said Howard. Gregor didnt know why Luxas
cousin had been allowed in the meeting. He was just
supposed to be on a family visit.
A good point, agreed Vikus. And yet another
reason to begin the journey at once. Perhaps the party
can slip by before the serpents awaken.
Yippee, serpents, Gregor thought, and he remembered a twenty-foot spiked tail hed seen flipping
out of the Waterway when Ares was flying them home.
He wondered what was attached to the tail.
Now, Gregor, there is something we need to
address, said Vikus. It is the opinion of the council
that Boots should remain under guard in Regalia while
you pursue the Bane.
Gregor had anticipated this coming up. It would be
terribly dangerous taking Boots on another Underland
trip. But how could he leave her here when he had seen
108

Ripred and Twitchtip get into the arena so easily?

Sure, Ripred was extra smart, but none of the rats
seemed dumb. He and Boots would stay together, like
his mom always told them to do.
Shes coming with me or I dont go. End of
discussion, said Gregor. He knew this sounded
uppity, but at this point he was too tired to care.
There was a pause in which everyone glanced
around, acknowledging that this had been out of line.
But what were they going to do?
Vikus sent him off to prepare for the journey. He
went to the museum to look for some light sources.
The museum was full of stuff that had fallen from
Gregors world. There were a lot of cool, really old
things, like a wheel from a horse-drawn carriage, an
actual quiver still filled with arrows, a silver mug, a
cuckoo clock, a top hat. More recent items, like wallets,
jewelry, and watches, were neatly laid out in rows.
There were lots of good flashlights, probably because
anyone who had been in the tunnels below New York
City would have needed one. Gregor selected four and
dug out a lot of batteries.
A couple of life jackets caught his eye, and he took
these, too. The last time, they had been traveling
109

through stone tunnels. This time, he guessed they

would be flying over the Waterway. Boots was too little
to know how to swim. He added to his supplies a roll
of duct tape and a couple of candy bars that didnt
seem too stale.
As he was leaving, he saw their regular clothes
folded in two neat stacks by the door. Vikus mustve
said it was okay to keep them. Gregor didnt care what
they smelled like; he was wearing his boots.
When he went by the nursery to collect Boots, he
was told that Dulcet had already taken her down to
the river. That was to be their departure point.
Gregor thought that made sense, since flying down
the river had to be the quickest way to get to the
Waterway. But when he reached the docks, he saw a
team of Underlanders loading up two boats that were
suspended by ropes at dock level above the river. They
were long, narrow vessels that reminded him of boats
hed seen in the museum back home, boats Native
Americans had used hundreds of years ago. But secured
to the bottom of each was a large gray triangular fin
a real fish fin that mustve come off a whopper of a
swordfish or something. Strapped along the sides of the

110

boats were more fins that could be extended and

retracted horizontally as needed. A curved bone was
attached to the back of each boat as a rudder.
Whats with the boats? he asked Vikus, who was
overseeing the loading. Arent we taking the bats?
Ah, yes, but the Waterway is vast and provides
few hospitable places to rest. No bat would have the
stamina to cross it, so much of your trip must be by
sea, said Vikus.
Gregor didnt know much about boating except
that, compared to flying, it was slow. It was going to
take forever to get to the Bane by water.
Just then, Twitchtip slunk out onto the dock. Oh,
great, thought Gregor. I bet I end up riding with the
crazy rat.
Dulcet helped him secure the life jacket on Boots. It
was too big, really, but they belted it on as best they
could. Gregor wasnt sure what to do with the second
jacket he could swim pretty well until he saw
Temp shivering at the edge of the dock, looking at the
churning river below.
Hey, Temp, are you going with us? he asked.
Vikus says I may, he says, said Temp. So Gregor

111

put the extra jacket on Temp. The bug allowed it

because the princess was wearing one, too, and because
Gregor got through to him that it would help him float.
As he stood up from strapping Temp in, he saw
Luxa, Solovet, Mareth, and Howard come out of the
palace. Luxa and Solovet were wearing gowns, not the
long pants they had traveled in before.
Wait a minute youre going with us, right?
Gregor said to Luxa.
No, Gregor, I cannot. I was only allowed to join
you on the first quest because The Prophecy of Gray
dictated it. This has been deemed too unnecessarily
dangerous for a queen, Luxa said, glancing at Vikus.
Gregor thought she at least could have put up an
argument. Maybe even Luxa wasnt keen on chasing
down the Bane. It made him kind of mad, though.
So, whos going, then? asked Gregor.
Well, first you should know that we had no lack of
volunteers, Vikus said, as if to reassure Gregor that
this was going to be a guaranteed good time. But the
openings were very limited. Besides yourself, Ares,
Boots, Temp, and Twitchtip, we will be sending
Mareth and Howard and their fliers.
Howard? said Gregor. He liked Mareth a lot, but
112

he didnt want Luxas cousin going along. Howard

was part of that Fount crowd, and who knew if hed
ever seen a rat besides that dead one on the beach?
Apart from being a most excellent fighter, he is
well versed in the ways of water travel, said Solovet.
We are most fortunate his visit coincided with yours.
Uh-huh, said Gregor. So Ripreds not coming,
either? Nobody made him feel safer than Ripred . . .
when he wasnt wondering if the big rat would kill him.
He left this morning for the Dead Land, said
Vikus. Oh, I see the boats are loaded! We had best get
you on your way!
Ares landed beside them. The river is too
hazardous. We will fly to the Waterway and then
board the boats.
Glad youre coming, anyway, Gregor muttered,
shooting a resentful look at Luxa and, while he was at
it, Vikus. He climbed on Aress back.
Dulcet handed Boots up to him with a slight sound
of exertion. Oh! Boots, you have been growing well!
I big girl! I ride bat! I ride bat! Boots squealed in
delight, bouncing in front of Gregor. On the first trip,
Gregor had carried her in a backpack, but she was
getting too big for that, especially with the life jacket.
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Temp ride, too! said Boots. The cockroach scurried

up behind them, his movements somewhat restricted
by his bulky flotation device.
Twitchtip slid into one of the big boats and flattened
herself in the middle. Her nose poked over the side,
trying to catch the breeze that blew up the river. Gregor
felt a twinge of sympathy for the rat. She might be
the only one more miserable about this journey than
he was.
Teams of bats lifted the two loaded boats by rope
loops and started down the river. As Ares took off
after them, Gregor wrapped his arms tightly around
Boots. He was becoming familiar with the journey
now, the fading lights of Regalia, the glimmer as they
passed the crystal-walled beach where he had had his
first encounter with rats, and finally the wide-open
expanse of the Waterway.
They flew a few miles out over the Waterway before
the teams of bats lowered the boats into the water and
took off. Howards bat landed in the boat with
Twitchtip. Ares settled in the second boat, as did
Mareths bat.
This is Andromeda. She is my bond, Mareth
said, touching his hand to the wing of his gold-and114

black-speckled bat. Gregor remembered Mareth had

been riding her during the rat fight back on the crystal
beach. Shed been so badly injured that she had not
come on The Prophecy of Gray trip. Gregor still felt
kind of responsible for that fight because it had
happened when hed tried to escape.
Hey, nice to meet you, he said. Did she still blame
him for that night?
I am honored to meet you also, Overlander, she
said. Maybe, like Mareth, she had forgiven him.
Mareth also introduced him to Howards bond,
Pandora, a graceful bat with beautiful rusty red fur.
All she said to him was Greetings.
Vikus had flown out after them to bid them goodbye. Gregor, I forgot to deliver you this, he called.
His large gray bat swooped over Gregors boat, and
something fell to the floor. Gregor picked up a scroll
and found a copy of The Prophecy of Bane written
in Nerissas elegant hand.
Fly you high! Vikus headed back toward Regalia,
giving them an encouraging wave. Gregor managed a
nod back.
Boots was wriggling madly to get out of Gregors
arms. Letting her loose in the boat made him nervous,
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but he couldnt hold her for days at a time. He set her

down on the floor with strict instructions to Stay in
the boat!
Fortunately the vessel was so deep that she couldnt
get out, anyway. When Gregor stood in the middle, the
sides rose up to his shoulders. It was about twenty feet
long and made of some kind of animal hide stretched
over a bone frame. A two-foot-wide strip of floor ran
down the center of the boat. About a third of the way
from the front of the boat, Mareth hoisted a wooden
mast into the air and secured it at the hinged base. It
was only the second wooden object Gregor had seen
used in the Underland, the first being the door to
Sandwichs room. There were a few seats fashioned
from leather, and a lot of supplies. Especially food.
Are we really going to eat all this? asked Gregor.
Not by ourselves. But the shiners will require a
great deal of food, said Mareth.
The shiners? said Gregor.
Vikus did not tell you? began Mareth.
Gregor wondered how many times he was going to
hear that in the next few days.
On long voyages, we cannot carry enough fuel

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to provide light. So we hire shiners to aid us, said

Mareth. They should be here directly yes, see . . .
here they come now.
Gregor looked out into the dark and spotted two
points of light. They went out, and then turned on
again, closer this time. As the flickering light continued
to approach, he could make out the forms of flying
insects. By the time the two giant bugs had landed on
the bows of the boats, he had identified them.
Oh, theyre fireflies! he said. Back at his dads
familys farm in Virginia, they flew at the edge of the
woods at night. Their little twinkling lights made the
whole place look magical. The three-foot-tall versions
perched on the boat werent nearly so enchanting. But
he had to admit that when their butts lit up, they put
out some light.
Greetings, Shiners, said Mareth with a bow.
Greetings, all, one of the fireflies said in a high
and impossibly whiny voice. I am he called Photos
Glow-Glow and she is Zap.
It was my turn to make the introduction, wailed
Zap. Photos Glow-Glow made it last time.
But we both know that, as a male, I am more

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visually pleasing to humans, Photos Glow-Glow

said, his rear end blinking in a variety of colors. Zap
can only make one color, and it is yellow.
I hate you! shrieked Zap.
And Gregor knew this was going to be the longest
trip of his life.

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CHAPTER

11

regor had never bitten his nails before, but he

started doing it about five minutes after the fireflies

arrived. They were unbelievable! They argued about

where they would sit, they argued about who should
take the first shift, they even argued about whose
servant Temp should be since he was obviously just a
no-account crawler, until the roach spoke up with
uncharacteristic force, Only the princess, Temp serves,
only the princess.
Mareth tried to feed them to distract them, but they
just bickered about each others table manners.
Must you talk with your mouth full, Zap? Photos
Glow-Glow said. It kills my appetite.
This from someone who just sat in his milk! Zap
said, and apparently she had him there, because his
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rear end went bright red in anger, and he chomped on

a mushroom in silence for at least thirty seconds.
Are they always like this? Gregor whispered to
Mareth.
In truth, these two are not as bad as some others I
have traveled with, whispered back Mareth. I once
saw a pair try to fight to the death over a piece of cake.
Try to? said Gregor.
They are not very capable fighters, and they tire
quickly. So they ended up accusing each other of
cheating, and giving up. Then they sulked for several
days, said Mareth.
Do we really need them? asked Gregor.
Unfortunately, yes, said Mareth.
Even Boots, who had stationed herself on the floor
of the boat to roll a ball around with Temp, seemed
aggravated by the newcomers.
Fo-Fo, too loud! she said, tugging on one of his
wings. Shh, Fo-Fo!
Fo-Fo? Fo-Fo? I am he called Photos Glow-Glow
and will answer to no other name! said Photos GlowGlow.
Shes just a little kid. She cant say Photos GlowGlow, said Gregor.
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Well, then, I cannot understand her! said the firefly.

Allow me to translate, Twitchtip said, not even
bothering to move. She said if you dont stop your
incessant babble, that big rat sitting in the boat next to
you will rip your head off.
The silence that followed was blissful. Gregor felt
positively friendly toward Twitchtip, and decided he
wouldnt mind riding in her boat at all.
They were far out into the Waterway now. The
torches had been extinguished when the shiners
arrived, and the fireflies glow only illuminated the
immediate area. Gregor snapped on his best flashlight
for a minute and shone it around. All signs of land had
vanished.
There were waves, too, now. And even a decent
breeze. Mareth and Howard ran silken sails up the
masts and were preoccupied with steering the two
vessels. Their bats settled comfortably together and
dozed off. Gregor noticed that Ares didnt join them.
On the first quest, all the bats had gathered in a clump
to sleep together after flights. But maybe Ares wasnt
welcome now.
Hey, Ares, do you know how long it will take us to
get to the Labyrinth in this boat? asked Gregor.
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At least five days, said Ares. If we flew, we could

make it in less time, but it is believed that very few bats
could make the journey. No one has ever tried it.
I bet you could make it, said Gregor. He meant it,
too. Henry hadnt chosen Ares just because he was a
troublemaker; the bat was also impressively strong
and swift.
I have thought that I might try it someday, to see if
I could accomplish it, admitted Ares.
Like Lindbergh. Hes the first guy who flew across
the Atlantic Ocean by himself, said Gregor.
He had wings? asked Ares.
Well, mechanical ones. He was a person. He had a
plane. Thats a machine that flies. Now people fly
across the ocean all the time in great big planes, but
not when Lindbergh was flying, said Gregor.
He is famous, in the Overland? asked Ares.
Yeah, I mean, he was. Hes dead now, but he was
real famous. People were mad at him, too. Because of
something about a war, Gregor said, unsure about
that part. There was a sad thing, too, about a baby.
But he couldnt remember that exactly, either.
Gregor picked up the scroll with The Prophecy of
Bane and opened it.
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DIE THE BABY, DIE HIS HEART,

DIE HIS MOST ESSENTIAL PART.

He let the scroll snap shut. He looked at Boots, who

was quietly singing Row Row Row Your Boat while
she drummed on Temps shell. She was so perfect,
somehow, in that way little kids are perfect. So innocent.
How did anyone think they were going to solve anything
by killing her? And yet at this moment, Gregor knew
squads of rats were scouring the Underland to do just
that.
Can rats swim? Gregor asked, peering out into
the water.
Yes, but not as far out as we are. The rats cannot
reach her here, Ares said, following his thoughts.
But eventually they would have to land. And there
would be the Bane.
Have you ever killed a rat? asked Gregor.
Not alone. Together with Henry, yes. I flew while
he held the sword, said Ares.
Then Gregor remembered he had seen the rat
Fangor die on Henrys sword, back on that crystal
beach. But it was sort of a blur.
How do you do it? I mean, where exactly is it best
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to . . . where do you stab it? The words felt strange in

his mouth.
The neck is vulnerable. The heart, but one must
get past the ribs. Through the eyes to the brain. Under
the foreleg is a vein that bleeds greatly. If you strike at
the belly, you may not kill instantly, but the rat will
likely die within days from infection, said Ares.
I see, said Gregor. But he didnt. That is, he
couldnt really see himself doing it. Killing the giant
white rat. The whole thing was surreal.
Is it okay if Im riding you? Or do I have to be on
the ground? asked Gregor.
I will be there, if it is at all possible, said Ares.
Thanks, said Gregor. Sorry I got you into this
mess.
You also freed me from one, said Ares. And they
left it at that.
Mareth called a dinner break and passed around
food. The fireflies ate with gusto, even though they
had just been fed.
After everyone had eaten, Mareth lowered the sails
in his boat and hooked the front of his craft to the
back of Howards with a towrope. Howard and I will
take turns sailing the lead boat while the rest sleep. But
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we need someone on guard and one shiner on duty at

all times.
Zap will take the first shift, said Photos GlowGlow. My light requires more energy.
It is a lie! howled Zap. I can only make one
color, but the effort is the same. He only says this so
that he will be given more food and less work!
Photos Glow-Glow will take the first shift, said
Twitchtip. Or Ill shred his wings into ribbons. So
that settled that. Who wants to watch with him?
We are many and can switch guards every two
hours or so, said Mareth.
Gregor was wiped out, but he hated the idea of
being woken up after an hour or two of sleep and then
having to be on guard, so he volunteered to go first.
In the lead boat, Howard took his place by the rudder
to steer. His bat folded its wings to sleep. Twitchtip,
who had barely moved since they left Regalia, closed
her eyes. Zaps soft yellow light faded out, and she
began to snore.
Gregor took off Bootss life jacket, wrapped her
snugly in a blanket, and settled her down next to Temp
in the stern of their boat. Ares perched next to them.
Mareth stretched out on the floor, with Andromeda
125

nearby. Photos Glow-Glow turned his bulb to a steady

orange light and lit on the bow, a few feet in front of
Mareth, illuminating the space between the boats.
Gregor sat on a pile of supplies and laid his forearm
across the side of the boat. It was quiet except for the
lapping of the waves, soft breathing, and firefly snores.
The rocking of the boat had a hypnotic effect. His
eyelids felt leaden.
He had barely slept in days . . . the rats were after
Boots . . . maybe he could just rest his head on his
shoulder . . . he had to kill Ripred . . . no, the Bane . . .
he had to kill the Bane . . . how many nights had he
been down here? . . . he had to kill somebody. . . .
Bootss cold little hand was wrapping around his
wrist. What, Boots? he murmured. She was squeezing
him now. Squeezing him hard. What? You need a
blanket?
He tried to pull his arm away. Her fingers dug in
deeper, creeping up his arm, causing real pain. Gregors
eyes flew open. Boots was sleeping peacefully next to
Temp, yards away from him. He twisted his head to
the side.
Curled around his forearm was a slimy red tentacle.

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CHAPTER

12

ah! Gregor had just enough time to let out a yell

before the tentacle gave a terrific yank. He flew

over the side of the boat and would have gone straight
into the water if one of his boots hadnt caught on
the edge. Ares! A second yank pulled him headfirst,
under the water up to his waist. He managed to get a
good breath of air before he submerged. His legs were
sliding under, too, now. He could feel the cold water
climbing over his thighs, his knees, his ankles oh!
Someone had him by the feet and was pulling back!
A tug-of-war ensued, with Gregor as the rope. For a
dreadful minute it was touch-and-go, with the creature
dragging him deeper and Ares dragging him back out.
Gregor beat at the tentacle with his free hand, but it
didnt seem to have much effect. Finally he got his
127

mouth up to his arm and sank his teeth into the tentacle
as deeply as he could. He didnt know if he did any real
damage, but he surprised the animal enough for it to
loosen its grip a bit. Just then Ares gave a big heave-ho
and Gregor flew out of the water, coughing and
gasping for air. He dangled upside down a moment, his
boots locked in Aress claws, before the bat dropped
him on the floor of the boat. Gregor retched, and a
gush of water rushed out of his mouth. He vaguely
noticed it was salty, like the ocean.
Overlander! he heard Mareth cry. Can you
fight?
Fight? Gregor struggled onto his hands and knees
and got his first good look at their situation.
Tentacles were shooting up over the sides of the boat
right and left, their suckers latching on to anything they
came in contact with. The crew was fighting back with
whatever they had swords, teeth, claws, pincers
trying to sever the appendages from the ghastly creatures
looming in the dark water beneath them.
Catch! he heard Mareth yell, and he saw a sword
flying at him. He grabbed it out of the air by the handle
just in time to slice through a tentacle that had encircled
his ankle.
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Photos Glow-Glow and Zap were blazing. But even

without their help, Gregor could have seen by the light
of the water, which shone an unearthly phosphorescent
green. Squid! Its some kind of squid! he shouted.
The three bats were in flight, diving down and
ripping with their claws. Mareth and Howard were
slashing away with swords. Twitchtip was a whirlwind
of gnashing teeth.
Overlander, your sister! he heard Ares warn.
Gregor turned to see Temp, standing over the stillsleeping Boots. The roachs mandibles were snapping
away at the intruders. He was disabling many tentacles,
but they kept coming. Three grabbed on to the cockroachs life jacket and pulled him into the water, leaving
Boots completely unprotected. As Ares dove in to
battle for Temp, a particularly large tentacle whipped
over the stern.
When Gregor saw the suckers latch on to Bootss
blanket, it happened again: the strange phenomenon
that had occurred with the blood balls. The greater
world receded, and it was as if nothing but he and the
tentacles existed. Around him, somewhere, there were
voices, and thuds, and glowing green water being
beaten into frothy foam. But all he was really aware of
129

was the attackers. His sword began to move not in

a premeditative way, but with some instinctive precision
and force utterly beyond his control. He hacked away
at tentacle after tentacle after tentacle and
Overlander! He heard Mareths voice reach out
for him. Overlander, enough! He didnt stop.
Ge-go, no hitting! No hitting! he heard. Boots
was crying.
The world zoomed back into perspective. Gregor was
standing in the middle of the boat. Severed tentacles
flopped on the floor around him. His breath was
coming in short, rasping gasps.
Mareth grabbed his shoulders and gave him a sharp
shake. They are going. It is over.
Gregors arm, the one the squid had caught, not the
one holding the sword, throbbed. Four angry red
circles, sucker marks, swelled on his forearm. He was
drenched with sweat and seawater and squid slime.
Ge-go, no hitting! Go home! Boots go home!
came from behind him.
He turned out of Mareths grasp and saw her sitting,
still half-tangled in her blanket, sobbing, but unharmed.
Muck from the squid had splattered her as well. Temp
sat next to her. He was missing two legs.
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Gregor tossed away the sword, reached out for

Boots, and held her tightly. Hey, youre okay. Youre
okay, baby. Dont cry.
Ge-go, Boots, go home. See Mama, she sobbed.
Ma-ma! Ma-ma!
That was her ultimate cry of distress. When she
was upset and none of the rest of them could fix it.
Mamaa!
Gregor sunk down on a seat and rocked her back
and forth, patting her back, and trying to soothe her
with words. How much had she seen? And what had
she seen him do?
While he held her on his lap, Howard appeared
with a pail of water and cleaned her off. Somehow he
distracted her with some silly rhyme about washing
her toes.
TWO TINY ROWS,
OF FIVE TINY TOES,
GIVE BOOTS TEN GOOD REASONS TO WIGGLE HER NOSE.

At this point, Howard would press her foot against his

nose, sniff her toes, and go, Whew! as if the smell
about knocked him out.
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WIGGLE YOUR NOSE,

AT EIGHT, NINE, TEN TOES,
THEN GIVE THEM A BATH SO EACH TINY TOE GLOWS.

Boots began to laugh between sobs, especially whenever

Howard said Whew! and soon she was completely
caught up in trying to say the rhyme with him. Gregor
had spent a lot of time amusing his little sisters. He
recognized a good toddler bit when he saw it.
You make that up? he asked Howard.
Yes. For Chim. It was always hard to get her to
take baths, said Howard, avoiding his gaze. It crossed
Gregors mind that he had not been particularly nice
to Howard. He had lumped him in with Stellovet
and the other cousins, but Howard hadnt liked what
his sister had said to Luxa about Henry. And he had
not bragged about their dad being in charge at the
Fount.
They got Boots dressed in fresh clothes and gave
her a cookie. She trotted off to teach the rhyme to
Temp, who lacked not only toes, but legs.
Temp, do you need some bandages, or medicine?
asked Gregor.

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No. More legs, I will grow, more legs, said Temp.

He didnt seem too upset about the loss.
Photos Glow-Glow and Zap were uninjured and
very pleased with the bounty of squid parts that littered
the boat. Apparently, squid was a real delicacy for
fireflies, and the two had no time to squabble as they
embarked in a heated race to see who could wolf
down the most.
Andromeda and Twitchtip had a couple of sucker
marks, but Gregors were the worst, as the squid had
held on to him the longest and he had no fur to protect
his skin. As they all cleaned the slime off their bodies,
he saw the swollen red circles were beginning to ooze
pus. His whole body felt hot and shaky.
I think maybe it poisoned me or something, Gregor
said, and suddenly his knees gave way and he was
lying in the boat. Everything was swimming around.
Someone pressed something against his lips and ordered
him to swallow. He managed to obey just before he
blacked out.
A fevered dream followed. He was submerged in
bubbly fluorescent green water, wrestling with writhing
tentacles, while hideous fish dug their fangs into his

133

arm again and again. His whole family watched over

the side of the boat, reaching for him, trying to pull him
to safety. He screamed to Boots to get back, but she
kept singing the rhyme about her toes. Temp appeared
in the water beside him, bobbing around in his life
jacket. He pulled off his legs, offering them to Gregor.
At some point, thankfully, he sank into nothingness.
When he came to, he could tell that a lot of time
had passed. His arm was bandaged and pulsating with
pain. It hurt to open his eyes.
And when he did, he had a moment of confusion.
For there, sitting in the bow of the boat and smiling
down at him, was Luxa.

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CHAPTER

13

let you go off for one day, and look at the trouble
you get into, Luxa said.
I bet I know somebody else whos in trouble,

Gregor croaked with a smile.

Much trouble, he heard Mareth say behind him.
Gregor didnt have to turn his head to see the soldiers
expression. He was angry.
I cannot go back, Luxa said with satisfaction. It
is too far now, and Aurora and I would most surely
perish in the deep.
Yes, you timed that nicely, said Mareth.
I know, said Luxa.
I know you know. Everyone will know you knew
if you ever arrive home in one piece to tell the tale,
said Mareth. Gregor had never thought much about
135

Mareths relationship with Luxa. She was his queen,

or would be when she turned sixteen, but there was
another side to it he recognized after the day of
training. Mareth was her coach, and he wasnt afraid
to chew her out.
Oh, Mareth, how long are you to stay angry with
me? said Luxa. It has been at least a day already. No
one will blame you for my disobedience.
That is much beside the point, Luxa! barked
Mareth. This venture is extremely dangerous, and
what if you die? You leave Regalia with Nerissa as a
leader, and she is of age. Can you imagine what will
happen then? To Regalia? To Nerissa?
She will have to abdicate, Howard said from
somewhere in the other boat.
She will do no such thing. She will rule if I die and
not Vikus, and never you and your wretched sister!
said Luxa.
There was a shocked silence. Then Howard spoke.
Is this what you think? That I want to be king? I
believe you have me confused with another cousin.
Ouch. It was another allusion to Henry. But this
time, Gregor thought Luxa might have had it coming.
And do not judge me by Stellovet. She is wretched.
136

I admit it. But I can no more control her than you

could control Henry! Howard spat out.
If you think I will believe you innocent, I will not.
I have seen you torment Nerissa, said Luxa.
When? When did I do this? I have barely spent five
minutes with her altogether! said Howard.
At the festival. When you set that lizard at her!
said Luxa.
Set it? I did not set it! That was a rare color
changer, and I thought it would amuse her to see it!
said Howard.
But Henry said he saw you ! began Luxa.
Henry said? Henry said? I cannot believe that even
now you do not question things that Henry said, Luxa!
Is he the one who told you I was after your crown?
Howards voice rose in frustration. Henry said!
Shh. Too loud. You like Fo-Fo, he heard Boots say.
It is Photos Glow-Glow! said an offended voice
in the next boat.
Oh, be quiet, Fo-Fo, said Twitchtip, and Gregor
had to pretend to cough to conceal he was laughing.
Bootss feet pattered up by Gregors head. She
leaned over, looking upside down at him. Hi, you!
Hi, you, said Gregor. Whats going on, Boots?
137

I do toes. Whew! I do bekfast. Two times, Boots

said, holding up four fingers. She squatted down and
pressed her nose into his forehead so their eyes were
blinking at each other upside down. I see you, she
said.
I see you, too, said Gregor.
Bye, Boots said, and trotted off to the other end
of the boat.
Gregor struggled to a sitting position. His whole
body ached like he had the flu. He leaned against the
side of the boat and looked at his bandaged arm. So,
whats it look like under the bandage?
It is not for the faint of heart, said Mareth. You
may thank Howard for saving your arm.
Saving it? You were going to cut it off? Gregor
asked, instinctively pulling it closer.
We would have had no choice if the venom spread
further, but Howard was able to suck it from the
wounds, said Mareth.
Ugh. Thanks, Howard, Gregor said, gingerly
flexing his fingers. Luxa scowled at him. What? He
sucked venom from my arm! I cant say thank you?
I am trained in water aid. I have sworn to save
anyone in peril related to the water, said Howard.
138

If my cousin had been paying attention that night,

there would be no need to be so grateful, said Luxa.
Gregor remembered waking, seeing the tentacle. . . .
No, it was my fault. I was supposed to be on guard
and I . . . I fell asleep. He felt ashamed to admit it, but
it wasnt fair to let Howard take the blame.
Everyone was quiet for a minute, then Mareth
spoke up. We probably would still have been attacked.
But it is crucial to stay awake on guard. Not only our
own survival, but that of many hangs on this journey.
It was even worse than Gregor thought, then.
Sorry. I was tired, but I thought I could stay awake.
It is something you learn, how to stand guard.
There are tricks to keeping your mind alert. You will
find them, said Howard. But Luxa and Mareth said
nothing, and Gregor knew that, for them, what he had
done was inexcusable. Howard came from the Fount;
it was not so dangerous there. Luxa and Mareth had
fought too many rats to let him off the hook.
Mareth called a break for dinner. Gregor was
famished. He stuffed way too much in his mouth,
choked, and had to take a piece of bread back out.
Excuse me. I guess I havent eaten since dinner last
night.
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That was two nights ago, said Howard. You

have been out for almost two full days.
Two days! exclaimed Gregor. He had never been
out that long before. Two days, plus the one he had
traveled. They must be at least halfway to the Bane,
and he felt no more prepared to face it than when he
had left Regalia. He should be doing something! He
thought about asking Mareth to give him a few more
sword lessons, but he was so wiped out from the squid
venom, he doubted he could lift the sword.
Besides, hitting things with a sword didnt seem to
be his problem. In fact, if anything, he couldnt stop
hitting things. It was like something took over his
whole being, something beyond his control.
In a weak attempt to better his chances with the
Bane, he lay on his back for a while, practicing echolocation. Click! But his mind kept going back to the
squid and how he hadnt been able to stop hacking
away at it. He couldnt really even remember fighting
it, the same way he couldnt really remember hitting
all the blood balls. Click! Sometimes that happened to
people who were crazy. . . . They had blank spots and
couldnt remember how theyd gotten somewhere or
what theyd been doing. Click! Oh, and there was that
140

guy in that werewolf movie, same thing happened to

him. Hed just wake up all bloody, wondering what
had happened to his clothes. Click! Gregor knew there
werent really werewolves. Click! Then again, how did
he know that? If youd asked him six months ago, hed
have said there werent giant, talking rats!
Click! Click! Click!
He was getting nowhere with this echolocation
stuff. Maybe Ripred was right, he had to focus. But
who could focus when they were in the middle of an
underground sea, full of squid venom, on their way to
killing a monstrous white rat? Not him.
Gregor sat up and saw Luxa sitting nearby,
sharpening her sword on some kind of stone.
How do you feel? she asked.
Better since I ate, said Gregor.
Luxa tested the edge of her blade by splitting a
strand of rope. She frowned in dissatisfaction and
continued to work on it.
That looks pretty sharp to me, said Gregor.
Not sharp enough for what lies ahead of us, said
Luxa. It is doubtful many of us will survive.
So why did you come? asked Gregor.
I thought you might need my help. You have
141

depended on it before, said Luxa. And Aurora and

I, we have Ares to think of as well.
While all of that might be true, Gregor had a feeling
there was more going on inside Luxa. Is that all?
Is that not enough? Luxa asked, avoiding his gaze.
Sure, I just thought, well, maybe it had something
to do with . . . Gregor stopped himself.
With what? said Luxa.
With nothing, said Gregor. Forget it.
I can hardly forget it now, said Luxa. Why else
would I come?
Because of Henry. I mean, if I were you, I might
come to show people I wasnt like him. I might come
to make Stellovet shut up, said Gregor.
Luxa didnt admit that what he said was right, but
she didnt deny it, either.
So, whats the deal with who gets to be king and
queen here? Gregor asked after a while.
My fathers family has been on the throne for
some time. As his only child, I am to rule next. If I
have children, the oldest will follow me, said Luxa.
Even if its a girl and she has brothers? Gregor
thought that girls only got to rule if there were no boys
in the family.
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Oh, yes. Girls have equal claim to the throne,

said Luxa. If I have no children, the crown will go to
Nerissa. But she is the last in our line. So if she dies, or
abdicates without children, Regalia will have to choose
a new royal family.
And Stellovet thinks it will be her family, said
Gregor.
She is probably right. Vikus and Solovet will be
the most likely choice. Their oldest child, my aunt
Susannah, would follow. And then her children, my
Fount cousins. Howard is the eldest, said Luxa.
Sounds like Stellovets a long way from being
queen, anyway, said Gregor.
Not as long as you might think. Not in the
Underland, said Luxa.
The bats, who had been out flying around, came in
for bedtime. Mareth put Howards red bat, Pandora,
and Ares on guard. Gregor had a feeling he wasnt
going to be assigned that duty for a while.
Twitchtip was restless. Somethings not right, she
said. She lifted her nose into the air, and her head
made an involuntary jerk to the side.
Is it more squid? Gregor asked, looking into the
deep.
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No, its not animal. But somethings not right,

she repeated.
In what way? asked Ares.
With the water, she said.
Is it tainted? Frigid? Filled with debris? asked
Howard.
No, said Twitchtip. Id recognize those things.
Its something I dont have a word for. But she could
not explain further, so there was nothing to do but
settle down to an uneasy sleep.
A few hours later, Gregor awoke to the sound of
rushing water and Howards frantic voice screaming
the word that Twitchtip didnt have:
Whirlpool!

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CHAPTER

14

hirlpool? The only thing Gregor could think of

was that game. His cousins had an old, round,

aboveground pool. All the kids would try to run

around in a circle and make the water swirl around so
there was a sort of funnel effect in the middle. He
knew there were real whirlpools in the ocean, but hed
never even seen a picture of one.
Gregor jumped to his feet and tried to make sense
of the situation. Everyone was up, but they were
confused, too. The Underlanders usually faced an
emergency with precision, as if theyd drilled for the
crisis a million times. Gregor had a feeling that none of
them had ever dealt with a whirlpool, either . . . and
that they had no emergency response at the ready.
Photos Glow-Glow and Zap were burning at full
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brightness, but there still wasnt enough light to see

far out into the water. Gregor pulled out the biggest
flashlight he had, one with a wide sweeping beam, and
clicked it on. What he saw took his breath away.
The boats were on the outer edge of a huge vortex.
The whirlpool must have been at least a hundred yards
wide. The water was rushing at a dizzying speed,
grasping at anything in its reach, carrying it around
and around until it was sucked down into a black
gaping hole in the center.
Howard and Mareth were shouting at each other
across the rope that tethered the two boats together.
I am cutting loose! Howard yelled as he began to
hack away at the rope between them.
No! Mareth cried. The fliers will carry us out!
They can only take one boat! Do it, Mareth!
Pandora can come back for me! Howard shouted,
and the rope severed under his sword. It was just in
the nick of time. The lead boat containing Howard,
Pandora, Twitchtip, and Zap was snagged by the
outer ring of the whirlpool and carried off into the
maelstrom.
It was only a matter of seconds before the second
boat would meet the same fate. Gregor lunged for the
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stern for Boots, who was half-asleep, so he could get

her back in her life jacket. Hed taken it off so she could
sleep comfortably. Obviously that had been a bad
decision. He fumbled with the jackets tangled straps.
The boat suddenly yanked to the side. Its got us!
Gregor cried out. But then there was an upward jerk.
Gregor sprawled forward, barely avoiding crushing
Boots, and found they were rising out of the water. The
bats! The bats were lifting them using the rope loops on
the sides of the boats. Aurora and Andromeda were in
the front, Ares and Pandora in the back.
Go, Pandora. Ares can take it! Go! Gregor heard
Mareth order.
Ares spread his feet, holding his own loop in one
claw and grasping Pandoras in his other. The boat
dipped down a bit, but the big black bat soon had it
under control. Man, hes strong! thought Gregor.
Pandora hovered for one moment, to make sure
Ares had things covered, then dove. Gregor leaned
over the side of the boat to see what was going on.
They were fifty feet above the water now, safe from
the clutches of the raging whirlpool, but below them it
was another matter. The lead boat, with Howard and
Twitchtip clinging to the mast, was spinning helplessly
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around in the whirlpool, smashing into debris, buckling

under the pressure of the current. Except for the light
from Gregors flashlight, the boat was in complete
darkness.
This is certainly an inconvenience, said a whiny
voice by his ear. Gregor turned to see Zap sitting on a
coil of rope. It was my time to sleep, too. I hope
Photos Glow-Glow does not think this means I will
cover his next shift.
Zap! What are you doing? Get down there so they
can see! said Gregor.
Oh, no. We never agree to go into dangerous
situations. We are not fed enough for that, said Photos
Glow-Glow. And then he actually yawned.
Gregor spun back around to the whirlpool in time to
see Howard launch himself out over the water, arms
straight out to his sides. Pandora caught him by the arms
and carried him straight up to safety. She set Howard in
a soggy pile on the floor and took her rope handle back
from Ares.
Down in the water, Twitchtip still clung desperately
to the mast. The boat was quickly approaching the
inner rings of the whirlpool and the black hole in the
center.
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Wait a minute! Gregor cried. Arent you going

back in for Twitchtip?
There was no answer. He looked to Mareth, to
Luxa, to Howard dripping and panting on the floor.
Something in their faces made a chill go through him.
Shes going to drown, you know! Weve got to get in
there!
It is not possible, Overlander, said Mareth. We
cannot reach her by boat. A single flier could not get
hold of her. It is not possible.
Luxa? said Gregor. She was a queen; she could
probably make them if she wanted to.
I think Mareth is right. We will risk more loss in
the effort, and the likelihood of success is almost
nonexistent, said Luxa.
But we need her! We need her to navigate in the
Labyrinth! said Gregor. Why were they just standing
there?
The bats will be sufficient, said Mareth. And
they can be trusted.
So, that was it. Now he understood. Its because
shes a rat, he said. Youre just going to sit here and
watch her drown because shes a rat, right? If it were
Howard or Andromeda or even Temp, youd be down
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there, all right, but not for a rat! Youd probably have
killed her already if you could have!
Below him, Twitchtips boat snapped in two. She
clung to the wreckage for a few seconds, and then it was
swept out of her grasp. She clawed her way through
the water, fighting to keep from going under, but she
wouldnt last long.
The life jacket was on the floor next to Boots. He
shoved his arms through the straps and buckled it with
shaking hands. The small flashlight, the one Mrs.
Cormaci had given him, was in his pocket. He flicked
it on. Maybe he could hold it between his teeth.
Hands grabbed him as he climbed up the side of
the boat. Do not be a madman, Overlander, said
Howard. You cannot help her!
You make me the sickest of all! said Gregor.
You were just down there a minute ago. You got
rescued! And what about what you swore? About
saving anyone in water trouble! In peril! What you
said! What about that?
Howards face flushed. Gregor had touched a nerve.
Gregor! Luxa had his hand. I forbid you to go,
Gregor! You will not survive.

150

Not with you guys as backup! said Gregor. He

was so furious, he could have thrown her over the side
of the boat. See how she liked it down there. Ripred
brought her for me. He brought her to help me, so I
could help you guys and your whole stupid kingdom!
he said. Thats why were doing this, right?
He stood on one of the seats and shone his light
down in the water. Man! Was he really going to jump
down into that? They were right, it was insane. Even if
hed been the best Olympic swimmer in the world, hed
never swim his way out of that, especially pulling some
big old rat. But he knew something else, too. He knew
that the Underlanders needed to keep him alive at all
costs. If he went in, theyd come after him. And if he
could get to Twitchtip, theyd have to save them both.
Howard started lashing something around his body.
Untie me! Gregor said, taking a swing at him.
It is a lifeline! Howard said, ducking the blow.
We will hold on to you from this end!
You will? said Gregor.
Do not fight the current. It will have no effect.
Ride it as best you can! said Howard.
Gregor balanced on the edge of the boat for one

151

second, stuck his flashlight between his teeth, braced

himself, tried to forget about how much he hated high
dives, and jumped.
The shock of the cold water occupied him for about
a millisecond before all his attention was on the current.
He was nothing a twig, a gum wrapper, an ant being
carried along by the immense force of the whirlpool. He
felt himself yanked back up by the rope. They had him
from above.
He was being lifted, swung out over the dark,
sucking hole at the center of the whirlpool. For a
moment, he had the crazy idea that they were going to
drop him into it, and then he understood. Twitchtip
was on the inner rings of the vortex. Maybe one, maybe
two times more around, and then she was gone.
As they swung him in to meet her, Gregor tried to
think of how he could get hold of the rat. There was
no time to work out a strategy. As he came in, he did
the one thing that came naturally: He opened his arms.
They smacked into each other, chest to chest. His arms
encircled her neck, his legs wrapped around her body.
Twitchtip dug her claws into the front of the life jacket.
They spun around the whirlpool again. The current

152

locked on them, pulling them down, not wanting to let

them go.
They cant do it! thought Gregor. Were going
under! He squeezed his eyes shut tightly, waiting to
be engulfed. Instead, there was a rib-crushing tug and
suddenly they were swinging free. Twitchtips full
weight hit him. If the rat hadnt gotten one claw
embedded in the rope, he would have lost her.
Dont let go! she choked out.
Gregor couldnt free his teeth from the flashlight, he
had bitten down so hard. He managed to open his
mouth enough to say, No.
They were carried over the water for a while, until
they were out of the whirlpools reach. Then they were
in the waves, half-treading water, half-using the life
jacket to stay afloat, as the Underlanders reeled them
in. Hands pulled them into the boat. When he felt the
floor beneath him, he released the rat.
They lay side by side, gasping, coughing up water.
This was extra tricky for Gregor, since his teeth were still
stuck in his flashlight. His ribs hurt from the final tug
that had freed them. He hoped they were just bruised,
not broken. If they ached, the pain was minimal

153

compared to his arm. The bandage had been torn away

by the current, and Gregor could see it in all its glory. The
whole forearm was badly swollen. The sucker wounds,
which had turned a revolting shade of purple, oozed
fluorescent green pus. They burned as if they were on fire.
Howard was at his side. He helped Gregor free his
teeth from the flashlight and laid it on the floor. Gregor
had a funny memory. When Mrs. Cormaci had given
him the flashlight, she had made a point of telling him
it was waterproof. It even had a little sticker on the
bottom that said so. Hed thought at the time that was
silly, why would he need a waterproof flashlight? Now
he knew.
Gregor gritted his teeth as Howard flushed out the
wounds on his arm, poured a cooling solution over the
skin, and bandaged it in fresh fabric.
I know this comes a bit late, said Howard. But
try to keep it dry. There was something in his eyes
that reminded Gregor of Howards grandfather, Vikus.
An odd twinkle, even while the rest of his face
remained serious.
Gregor couldnt help laughing. Yeah. Ill do that.
Howard toweled off Twitchtip and wrapped her in

154

blankets. She was too exhausted to object when he

poured a bottle of medicine down her throat. She went
to sleep almost immediately.
Is she all right? Gregor asked him.
Yes. We must keep her warm. The cold water has
been a shock. But she is a fighter, Howard said with
respect.
Boots came up and stuck a cookie in Gregors
mouth. You wet.
Yeah, he said, spraying crumbs as he talked.
Boots go swim? We go swim? she said hopefully.
Gregor was glad she hadnt been able to see over the
side of the boat.
Nah. Its too cold, said Gregor. I tried it, and its
too cold, Boots.
Boots took a bite of a second cookie and poked the
rest in Gregors mouth. Yesterday? We go yesterday?
She got time all mixed up. Yesterday, today, tomorrow,
later, before all pretty much meant anytime that
wasnt right now.
Maybe when we get home. And it gets warm
again. Ill take you to the pool, okay? said Gregor.
Ye-es! said Boots. She patted his chest. You wet.

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Gregor got on some dry clothes and wrapped himself

up in a blanket. He had to take his boots off for a
while. They were waterproof, but not in a whirlpool.
The boat was packed now, with all thirteen of them
in it. Somehow everyone had found a place, but it was
tight.
Luxa sat next to Gregor and handed him something.
Here. I made you a sandwich.
He looked down at the clunky version of a roast
beef sandwich. He had taught her to make her first
sandwich on their last trip. Thanks. He didnt eat it.
Do not be angry with us, Gregor. Mareth and I
have lost more than you know to the rats. It is hard for
us to risk anything to save one. Even if it is of use,
said Luxa.
She. Twitchtip is a she. And shes had a bad time,
too. The rats chased her out because shes a scent seer
and shes been living all alone in the Dead Land, said
Gregor.
Has she? asked Luxa. I did not know this about
her.
Well, no, because no one talks to her! Gregor said,
and then had a pang of guilt. He hadnt been talking to
her, either. He hadnt wanted to ride in her boat. At
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least hed gone in to save her. But shes incredible. You

should see her in action. I mean, maybe she didnt
know what a whirlpool was. But she could tell all the
way from the arena to the palace what color shirt
Boots was wearing. And once were in that Labyrinth
thing, I think shes the only way well find the Bane!
His words were tumbling out now; he couldnt stop
them, but he couldnt organize them quite right, either.
And . . . and . . . Ripred brought her. Vikus told me
once he had wisdom . . . wisdom unique . . . well,
more wisdom than, like . . . practically anyone, okay?
So, if he brought her, we must need her. And, anyway,
besides that . . . besides that . . . its no good, Luxa!
He paused to get it right. Its no good to sit up in the
boat and watch her drown.
Gregor took a bite of the sandwich more to stop
talking than anything. It was all so confusing, the
whole thing with the rats and the humans. They had
killed Luxas parents, and he didnt know how many
others she loved. Another thought struck him. Helping
a rat doesnt make you like Henry, you know.
You see it that way. Others might not, she said.
They sat in silence while he ate his sandwich. He
couldnt argue with her there.
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CHAPTER

15

regor found a spot on the floor at the front of the

boat and made a bed out of blankets. Ares landed

on a nearby seat.
Hey, Ares, he said. Whats up?
I am unsettled. About your rescuing the rat, said
Ares.
Oh, great, thought Gregor. Here we go again.
But he had it all wrong.
I could not let go of the boat. I would have dived
for you, but I could not let go of the boat without
everyone falling, Ares said, his wings fluttering in
distress.
Well, I know that, said Gregor. Of course, you
couldnt. I didnt expect you to.
I did not want you to think, as your bond, that I
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would not come after you, said Ares. The way I did
not go after Henry.
I didnt. I mean, I dont. Youve already come after
me way more than Ive come after you, said Gregor.
You did the only thing you could do.
Gregor sat on his makeshift bed. Boots climbed
onto his lap and gave a big yawn. I seepy.
Yeah, me, too. Lets get some shut-eye, okay? He
lay down with Boots in the crook of his good arm and
pulled a blanket over them.
We shut eyes, Boots said, and snuggled off to
sleep.
Gregor had neglected to put the life jacket back on
her again. He really didnt think she could sleep in it,
anyway. But what if they ran into another squid or
whirlpool or something?
Hey, Ares, he said. If something bad happens
again? I need you to promise me something.
What is this promise? said the bat.
Save Boots. I mean, save her before me. I know
were bonds and all, but get her first, said Gregor.
Ares thought about it for a minute. I will save
both of you.
But if you have to choose one of us, choose Boots,
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okay? said Gregor. There was no answer. Please,

Ares.
The bat sighed. I will save her over you, if I must
choose, if this is what you wish.
This is what I wish, Gregor said, letting go and
relaxing into sleep. He felt better knowing Ares was
there, watching out for Boots, too. Maybe between
him and Ares and, of course, Temp, they could keep
her safe.
Hours later, when Gregor awoke, he felt a warm
body pressed up against his leg. He wriggled his arm,
which had gone numb, out from under Bootss head
and sat up. In the light of Photos Glow-Glows bulb,
he could see Twitchtip lying against him. He gave a
little start of surprise, and she opened her eyes.
Twitchtip looked embarrassed and scooted away
about six inches, which was as much as the close
confines of the boat would allow. It was this reaction
that gave Gregor the idea that she hadnt just rolled
over against him in her sleep. She had, at some point,
intentionally curled up against his leg. And it led him
to another thought. How hungry for contact must
Twitchtip be to lean up against him? A human? A
human whose scent made her ill? She must be starved.
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All those years of living alone in the Dead Land had left
her desperate to touch any warm being. Even him.
He immediately covered for her. Hey, sorry. I
mustve rolled into you when I was sleeping.
Its hard not to, said Twitchtip. Theres so little
room in the boat.
Yeah, said Gregor. He looked around. Mareth
was in the back, steering. Andromeda stood guard
next to him. Photos Glow-Glow was perched on the
bow, occasionally shifting the color of his rear end.
Everyone else was fast asleep.
Gregor considered going back to sleep, but he felt
too alert. Besides, this might be a good time to talk
to the rat. He tried to think of a way to start the
conversation, but Twitchtip began it herself.
I know you made them save me, said Twitchtip.
Well, I kind of spearheaded the whole thing, said
Gregor, not wanting her to know how readily the
others would have let her die.
But she knew, anyway. Ripred was right about
you. He said I couldnt judge you like I would other
humans.
Thats interesting. Because I think Vikus said
something similar to me about Ripred, said Gregor.
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The subject made him uncomfortable. So how long

have you been living on your own?
Three or four years, said Twitchtip.
Whyd they drive you out? The other rats. I mean,
theyre so into smell, seems like youd be famous,
said Gregor.
I was, in a way, for some time. Then they realized
I could smell their secrets, and no one wanted me
around, said Twitchtip. I can smell yours, too.
My secrets? Like what? asked Gregor. He tried to
think about what his secrets might be. His fathers
disappearance used to be a kind of secret, or at least it
was something he never discussed much. But that was
over. Of course now, the Underland was a secret. But
only in the Overland. So what was she talking about?
Twitchtip spoke so softly that Gregor could barely
hear her. I know what happens when you fight.
Gregor was taken aback. But she was right, that was
a secret. He hadnt told anybody about how he couldnt
really remember what happened once he started swinging
a sword. But he didnt let on. What happens when I
fight? he asked coolly.
You cant stop. You put out a scent. I have only

162

smelled it once or twice before. We rats have a name

for someone like you. Youre a rager, said Twitchtip.
A rager? Whats a rager? asked Gregor. It
sounded like somebody who lost their temper a lot.
Its a special kind of fighter. Theyre born with great
ability. While others may train for years to master
combat, a rager is a natural-born killer, said Twitchtip.
It was absolutely the worst thing he could imagine
anybody saying about him. Im not a natural-born
killer! he gasped. He thought about Sandwichs
prophecies, how they called him a warrior, how he was
supposed to kill the Bane. Is that what everybody
thinks? Im some kind of killing machine?
No one even knows about it yet, or it wouldve
been the first thing I heard about you. Being a rager
its not a moral judgment. You cant help being one
any more than I can help being a scent seer. It doesnt
mean you want to kill, it means you can. Better than
anyone. But once you begin to fight, its very hard for
you to rein yourself in, said Twitchtip.
Gregors heart was pounding. What if she was
right? No, she couldnt be right. He didnt even like
fighting! He didnt even like people arguing! But what

163

about how hed acted with the blood balls and the
tentacles? He couldnt control what he did. He couldnt
even remember it. . . . I think youve got me mixed
up with somebody else was all he said.
No, I dont. Ignore me if you want to, but eventually
youll know Im right. If you get a chance, though, Id
talk to Ripred about it, said Twitchtip.
Ripred? Why Ripred? Gregor said, thinking the
main person he might need to see was a shrink.
Because hes a rager, too, said Twitchtip. But,
unlike you, hes learned to control his actions.
Ripred. Well, no question, if anyone was a killing
machine, it was that rat. Gregor thought of Ripred
whipping his tail at him to check his reflexes and
saying, Well, you cant teach that. Did he already
suspect Gregor was a rager? Did Solovet?
Im going back to sleep now, Gregor said, and lay
down. He pulled Boots close for comfort and stared
into the dark. He found himself biting his lip so he
wouldnt cry. Yeah. If he got back from this alive, hed
better talk to Ripred.
Hours passed, and slowly, one by one, everyone
awoke, and what approximated a day in the
Underland began. Gregor had utterly lost track of how
164

long hed been down here. He thought about asking

Luxa, but did he really want to know? Every day down
here was a day his family had been suffering at home.
His head started to fill with images of that suffering
his dads illness worsening, his mothers sleepless nights,
his sweet grandmas confusion, and Lizzies fear. What
was happening? Did his mom still work every day?
Was Lizzie trying to take care of his dad and his
grandma and go to school and pretend to Mrs. Cormaci
that he and Boots had the flu? Was it almost Christmas?
Everything bad was worse at the holidays, he knew
that from the years of his dads absence. All around you
were people in an extra-happy mood, and it just made
your own hurt bigger. Now that his dad was back,
Gregor had thought his family might have one of those
merry Christmases again, even if there wasnt a ton of
money for presents. And here he was, miles below his
home, going to kill a giant white rat and trying to keep
his baby sister alive while his family watched the hands
crawl around the clock and waited. Ho ho ho.
Besides that, everyone on board was driving one
another crazy. It had been an effort for all the different
species human, bat, rat, roach, and firefly to be
cohabiting in two boats. In one boat, it was getting nasty.
165

Arguments were breaking out right and left, especially

over food. A lot of the supplies had been stored in the
second boat, so they were lost in the whirlpool. Mareth
took stock of the remaining food and put everyone on
strict rations. But Photos Glow-Glow and Zap insisted
they receive their same gluttonous amounts. When they
were told that wasnt going to happen, they whined
incessantly until Twitchtip remarked that she could
always eat fireflies. Then they simply sulked and only put
out light when they felt like it.
Why do the girl and her flier get our food? Gregor
heard Zap mutter to Photos Glow-Glow. They are no
more than stowaways!
And of course, Gregor couldnt deny Boots food.
When lunch was passed around, she gobbled up her
bread and cheese in record time and then pointed at
Gregors. I hungry! There was nothing he could do
but give her half his food. But after eating that and half
of Temps ration, she was still not full.
Oh, here, give her this, Twitchtip said, and scooted
a chunk of cheese over to Boots, who gnawed on it
happily. Everyone gawked at Twitchtip, who snarled.
It reeks of humans, I can barely choke it down,
anyway! And everyone looked away. But Gregor was
166

pretty sure he had witnessed a first a rat giving a

human her food.
Howard was the least concerned about the food
issue. We are surrounded by food, we need only reach
in and get it, he said. He lowered nets into the water and
sent the bats out to dive for fish. He was right. It didnt
take long to assemble a good-sized pile of seafood.
Unfortunately, there was no way to cook it. This wasnt
a problem for anyone but the humans; most of the
others preferred their catch that way. But, raw fish!
Gregor stared at the cold, white flesh with distaste. He
knew they couldnt waste fuel to cook it. It crossed his
mind that he might try warming it up on Photos GlowGlows butt, but he didnt like the bug enough to ask.
You should try it. It is not as bad as you think,
Howard said, popping a big piece into his mouth and
chewing it up. Sometimes we serve it this way at the
Fount, although it is not done in Regalia.
Gregor nibbled the edge of a chunk and decided it
was edible. Then he remembered that a lot of people ate
sushi; that was raw fish. Hed walked by Japanese
restaurants with beautiful displays of fish and rice and
seaweed assembled in bite-sized pieces. It was expensive,
too. Hed never had it, but his friend Larry had and
167

hed said it was okay, if you put a bunch of soy sauce

on it. Gregor closed his eyes, pretended he was at a
fancy restaurant, and stuck a whole piece in his
mouth. He wished he had some soy sauce.
Luxa was trying to get it down, too. Gregor could
see she didnt like it much better than he did, but since
she wasnt supposed to be here, she couldnt really
complain. Besides, she wouldnt want to look like she
couldnt handle eating something her cousins could eat.
Boots took a bite and unceremoniously spit it out,
then wiped her hand repeatedly over her tongue. No
like! No like! They were still working on getting her
to eat breaded fish sticks with ketchup at home, so
that wasnt surprising.
Twitchtip, who had put down about half a dozen fish
in a snap, suddenly lifted her head and began to scrunch
her nose around. Land. Were coming to land.
Mareth pulled out a map and scrutinized it. We
should not be, not for several days. I hope the whirlpool
has not thrown us off course.
Howard consulted a compass. No, we are going in
the right direction. Can you tell the nature of the land?
Perhaps one mile around, Twitchtip said, wriggling
her nose.
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Around? Oh, then it is an island? asked Howard.

He pointed to a spot on the map. I place us here. But
there is no island recorded in this area. Although it has
been many years since these waters were charted.
I believe its recently formed, said Twitchtip. It
has the smell of fresh lava.
Is there life on it? asked Mareth.
Twitchtip closed her eyes and concentrated. Yes, a
great deal. No warm-bloods, though. Its all insect.
But I dont have a name for their scent.
Gregor started fastening Boots up in her life jacket.
The last time Twitchtip didnt have a name for
something, they had all almost drowned. An island of
unfamiliar insects. That just didnt sound good.
After about another half an hour of sailing, the bats
began to raise their heads. Now they were picking up
the island on their radar, too.
How big are the bugs? Can you tell? asked Gregor.
Everything was so oversized here.
Not large, said Ares. Tiny, in fact.
That made Gregor feel a little better.
Until Aurora added, But there are millions of them.
Can you recognize them, Pandora? Howard
asked.
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The bat shook her head. No, they are most like the
mites we encountered on the Island of Shell. But these
have a different voice.
What were the mites like? asked Gregor.
Oh, they were harmless. As small as the head of a
pin, and while they did bite, it was not lasting, said
Howard.
And they were very tasty, added Pandora. Not
unlike bluebits.
This comment seemed to arouse the interest of all
the bats. Whatever bluebits were, Gregor had a feeling
that, for bats, they beat out raw fish by a mile.
Perhaps I should do a flyover. We could get very
full, if they are like bluebits, said Pandora.
Mareth was reluctant to let her go, but Howard
thought it would be okay. If they are mites, what
harm can they do?
Go, I would not, go, Temp said, but no one much
ever listened to him.
Why not, Temp? asked Gregor. Do you know
what kind of bugs they are?
Temp didnt. Or he couldnt articulate it if he did.
Bug bad was all he could say.

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There it is! Luxa said suddenly, and the place

emerged from the darkness. It was visible in the light
of a small volcano that slowly bubbled out lava at the
center of the island. In a couple of places, the lava
spilled over and ran into the water, entering it with a
hiss. A junglelike growth of twisted plants covered
areas that were not in the lavas path. Gregor guessed
they must depend on the light of the lava, since there
was no other. Or maybe they only needed its heat. His
dad had told him something about that how they
had discovered some things could grow without light
if there was heat. Well, whatever they used, these
plants were doing fine.
Then there was that hum. The whole place vibrated
with life that they couldnt see. Gregor didnt like it. He
knew Temp didnt, either. But the other Underlanders
seemed curious about the new island.
It seems a shame to pass it by without any examination, said Howard. We may gather knowledge
that will help future voyagers.
And there was no holding Pandora back. Yes, it
is our duty to at least ascertain if it would make a
hospitable place for resting. Some of our stronger fliers

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could make the crossing, if they knew they might land

here.
It was agreed that Pandora could make a quick
reconnaissance flight to get a closer look at the place.
She flew off swiftly and was soon over the island. It
didnt take her long to circle it and report back to the
bats in pitches the others couldnt even hear.
She says it is safe, said Ares. And the mites are
even more delicious than bluebits.
Well, you may as well fill your bellies, said
Mareth. But only in pairs. I do not like all of you
away from the boat at once. You may join her, Ares.
Then Aurora and Andromeda may go.
Gregor picked up Boots so she could look, too. It
wasnt every day you got to see a volcanic island in an
underground ocean. May as well check it out, if its
safe and all, thought Gregor.
But it wasnt.
Ares was almost to the island when it happened. A
black cloud exploded out of the jungle and engulfed
Pandora. She had no time to react. One moment she
was darting around eating mites, the next moment
they were eating her. In less than ten seconds they had

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stripped the writhing bat down to the bone. Her white

skeleton hung for an instant in the air, then crashed
into the jungle below.
Then a puzzled little voice next to Gregors ear
asked, Where bat?

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CHAPTER

16

andora! Howard cried in horror. Pan! He

scrambled up over the side of the boat and was

about to dive into the water when Mareth yanked him

back down.
Release me, Mareth! We are bonds! said
Howard. He thrashed about wildly in Mareths grip.
She is gone, Howard! You cannot help her! said
Mareth.
But Howard was unable to accept this. He twisted
out of Mareths hold and made for the side of the boat
again. Mareth grabbed him by the arm, spun him
around, and with one punch knocked him unconscious.
Luxa caught Howard as he flew backward. She
staggered back under his weight, but was able to break
his fall as he landed.
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In the meantime, Ares, whose first impulse had been

to go in to help Pandora, did an abrupt 180-degree
turn and began to fly toward open sea for all he was
worth. The cloud of mites, which was only a couple of
feet from him, rose up into the air and began to chase
him. As fast as he flew, the cloud stayed on his tail.
Gregor felt himself hit by the same panic Howard
had experienced a few moments before. Ares! he
cried. Hurry! Theyre right behind you! He felt so
helpless. He couldnt jump into the water to save his
bat. It would be pointless, and, anyway, Mareth would
just knock him out, too. And even if he could get to
Ares, how would he stop a cloud of flesh-eating mites?
Think, Gregor! he said to himself. What can you
do? The cloud was gaining on Ares now. The black
edge was almost touching his tail. They were going to
eat him! He was going to be devoured by insects, and
his skeleton would fall into the water and and
wait a minute! That was it!
Dive, Ares! Gregor screamed. Dive into the
water! At first, Gregor wasnt sure the bat had heard
him. Dive! he shrieked.
And as the mites began to merge over the line of
Aress tail, the bat dove into the water. Gregor wasnt
175

sure exactly what he thought would happen, but it

seemed like people sometimes got into water to escape
from bugs. Bees and things, anyway. If Ares was in the
water, they couldnt get him; that was as far as his plan
went. It was somewhat limited in effectiveness since,
of course, Ares would soon have to come up for air.
But it turned out that Gregor had thought of the right
thing, after all, because just then the fish all the
wonderful fish! surfaced and began to feast on the
mites. The cloud halted and began to counterattack
the fish. When Ares came up for air, the mites had
forgotten him and were busy battling a new enemy
and a potential meal.
Fliers! The ropes! Mareth ordered, and Aurora
and Andromeda grabbed the front loops on the boat
and began to drag the vessel through the water. Ares
caught up and with him carrying the back end, they
soon left the island far behind. Mareth had them fly
for several miles before he allowed them to put the
boat back in the water and land to rest.
Ares set his end in the water, but did not join them
immediately. He dove into the waves again and again,
and finally, after about twenty minutes, came in dripping,
exhausted and trembling. The mites, he explained.
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Some of them latched on and were eating me. I

believe I have drowned them all now, though.
Are you okay? Gregor asked, giving him an
awkward pat.
Yes, I am fine, said Ares. I have only some small
wounds. Not like and the bat stopped himself.
They all knew who he meant.
Gregor toweled Ares off. Luxa helped him go
through the black fur, inch by inch, and apply medicine
to wherever the mites had bitten off pieces of his flesh.
While they found many wounds, Ares was right. He
had left all the bugs in the water.
It was good, Overlander. Your idea to dive, said
Ares.
Yes, it was very clever to know the fish would
come after the mites, said Luxa.
Well, I hadnt really thought it all the way through
to the fish part, admitted Gregor. Sure glad they
were there, though.
When they had finished treating him, Aurora and
Andromeda snuggled up against Ares, and the three
bats went off to sleep. Gregor was glad Andromeda
was no longer shunning his bat. Maybe shed realized
that Aurora would choose Ares over her, and shed
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end up alone. Whatever the reason, Gregor thought

Ares really needed the company now.
Mareth had his hands full steering the boat, so
Gregor and Luxa did their best to tend to Howard as
well. He was still out. They made him a bed, covered
him up, and took turns holding cold cloths to his
swollen jaw.
Do you think we should try to wake him up?
asked Gregor.
Luxa shook her head. He has the rest of his life to
mourn her.
They were all very quiet that day. The bats slept
fitfully, Twitchtip stared out at the water, Mareth
steered, Boots and Temp played little games, the fireflies
whispered together on the bow and did not complain.
Gregor and Luxa sat side by side, watching Boots
and Temp. For a long time, they were silent. Gregor
kept reliving Pandoras horrific death in his head and
he suspected Luxa was doing the same.
Finally, as if she couldnt stand it anymore, Luxa
spoke up. Tell me about the Overland, Gregor, she
said.
Okay, he said, badly in need of a distraction
himself. What do you want to know?
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Oh, anything. Tell me . . . what one day is like,

from rising to sleep, she said.
Well, its really different, depending on who you
are, said Gregor.
Then tell me about one of your days, said Luxa.
So, he did. He told her about the last day hed been
up there, since it was freshest in his mind. He told her
about how it was Saturday, so there was no school,
and how hed helped Mrs. Cormaci make scalloped
potatoes and bought Lizzie the puzzle book and then
had taken Boots sledding. He didnt dwell on the lack
of food or his dads illness, since talking about those
things made him feel more anxious and there was
enough bad stuff going on around them, anyway. He
concentrated on the nicer parts of the day.
Luxa would ask a question here or there, usually if
he used an unfamiliar word, but mostly she just listened.
When he finished, she sat thoughtfully for a few minutes. Then she said, I wish I could see the snow.
You should come on up sometime, Gregor said,
and she laughed. No, really, you should come up for
a day. Or a few hours, at least. Its pretty cool, where I
live. I mean, its not a palace or anything. But New
York City is something else.
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You do not think Overlanders would find me

strange? asked Luxa.
It was a problem. That translucent skin, those violet
eyes . . . Well put you in long sleeves and a hat and
sunglasses, Gregor said. You wont look any stranger
than about half the people who live there. Suddenly he
felt almost enthusiastic about the idea. And we could
go out when its kind of dark, so the sun wont blind you.
I mean, even if we just went down the block and got a
slice of pizza, thatd be like nothing youve ever seen!
They were both happy for a minute. Thinking of
being in New York. Thinking of being somewhere else.
Then Luxa sighed and did that thing where she
pushed at her crown. Of course, the council would
never permit me to go.
Oh, yeah, and thats the kind of thing that would
stop you, said Gregor.
She gave him a grin and was about to answer when
Howard let out a moan.
Pandora? he said. Howard sat up so quickly, he
had to grab hold of Temp to steady himself. His eyes
darted around and landed on the three bats huddled
together. He looked upward as if maybe he had dreamt
the whole thing and Pandora was flying just overhead.
180

But of course, she wasnt. Pandora? he said. His hand

touched his bruised jaw, and he turned to Mareth.
You could not save her, Howard. None of us
could, Mareth said gently.
Gregor could almost see it, the whole weight of
Pandoras death coming down on Howard, crushing
him. The Underlander dropped his face into his hands
and began to sob. It was heartbreaking to watch.
Boots went over and patted him on the back of the
neck. Okay. You okay. You okay, baby, she said
soothingly. This was what they said to her when she was
upset. Her sweetness only seemed to make Howard cry
harder. Boots looked over at her brother. Ge-go, he cry.
Gregor knew she wanted him to help. To make it
better. But he didnt have a clue what to do. Then
something unexpected happened.
Luxa stood up, her face paler than usual. She went
to her cousin, sat beside him, and put her arms around
him. Pressing her forehead into his shoulder, she said,
She will fly with you always. You know this. She will
fly with you always.
Howard buried his face in her lap. She leaned her
cheek against the top of his head. And it was a long
time before either of them stopped crying.
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CHAPTER

17

regors supper consisted entirely of raw fish as he

gave his small ration of bread and meat to Boots.

Temp, Howard, and Ares did the same, and she seemed
satisfied. Giving a big yawn, she said, We shut eyes?
Yeah, we shut eyes, Boots, Gregor said, and she
snuggled up next to him on the floor.
Howard, ghost-white except for the purplish bruise
that stained his jaw, insisted on steering so that Mareth
could get some rest. Temp went on watch with Zap for
light.
Before the rest went to sleep, Twitchtip spoke up.
Were getting close now. I can smell rats ahead.
What of the serpents? asked Mareth. Do they
still sleep?

182

Yes, but it wont be long before they surface. And

they are deadly, said Twitchtip.
It really wasnt the last conversation Gregor wanted
to hear before he went to bed. Rats . . . serpents . . .
deadly . . . especially when he was already preoccupied
by words like rager . . . killing . . . Bane. He could not
get his mind to settle down. He went in and out of a sort
of doze, never really losing consciousness, so he was the
first one to rouse when Temp sounded the alarm.
Going, the shiners are, gone! he croaked.
Gregor sat up and opened his eyes and saw . . .
nothing. It was pitch-black. He could hear Howard
fumbling around behind him, muttering, Conniving,
vile creatures!
He flipped on the flashlight he always kept right
next to his bed. Everyone was stirring now.
What is it? What has happened? Mareth asked,
springing to his feet.
The shiners have deserted! Howard said, getting
a torch lit.
Deserted? They were bound for the entire journey!
said Mareth.
By what? Their honor? They have none. Their

183

word? Equally worthless! The shiners are bound only

by their stomachs, and as we cannot satisfy those, they
have broken with us! said Howard.
But where could they go? asked Gregor. It was
days and days back to where theyd first hooked up
with the bugs.
Theyll go to the rats, Twitchtip said flatly. Theyll
receive food and safe passage home in exchange for
information on our whereabouts. She looked around at
their dismayed faces. On the good side, we wont have
to listen to them whine anymore.
For an instant, everyone else was too startled to
speak. Twitchtip had made a joke! Then, everybody
humans, bats, roach, rat laughed. If there was one
thing they all could agree on, it was how annoying the
fireflies had been.
Yes, agreed Luxa. That will be a blessing. She
and Twitchtip eyed each other. It is a shame you did
not get to eat them, though.
Oh, shiners taste nasty, said Twitchtip. I only
threatened them to shut them up.
Well, no one shall miss them, but they have left us
with more trouble, said Mareth. How holds the fuel,
Howard?
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Howard shook his head. Not well. Much of it was

in the other boat. We will get to the Labyrinth, but we
will not have many more hours of light after that.
Light . . . life . . . the words were interchangeable
to the humans down here.
I have life I mean, light! I have light, too! said
Gregor.
You have the greatest task ahead of you,
Overlander, said Howard. You must keep your light.
Well, I will, some of it. But I could spread it
around. Wait a minute! Gregor dumped out his bag.
There were four flashlights, counting the one he slept
with, plus his mini one from Mrs. Cormaci, and a lot
of good batteries. Hed used the flashlights very
sparingly on the trip since the fireflies were on. There
was also that roll of duct tape.
Hey, Luxa, give me your arm! Not the sword
one! he said. Luxa held out her arm curiously. Gregor
placed a flashlight on her forearm so it would shine
out over the top of her hand. Then he wrapped duct
tape around and around, securing the flashlight to her
sleeve, but leaving the on/off switch clear. There!
That way you wont have to hold it, and you wont
lose it, either.
185

Luxa flipped the flashlight on and shone it about.

Oh, yes, Gregor. This will work well.
Gregor fixed up Howard and Mareth with
flashlights, too, then attached one to his own arm. He
had to use his sword arm, though, since the other was
so wrecked from the squid.
There was a rustling, and a little hand reached up
and patted his stomach. Me, too, Ge-go. Boots have
light, too!
Sorry, Boots, Im out of flashlights. Oh, hang on,
he said. He took the mini flashlight and taped it onto
her sleeve.
Very pleased, Boots hurried over to the cockroach.
Boots have light, too, Temp!
Okay, but youve got to turn it off. Save the light,
right? Gregor said, flipping off her switch. He said it
to Boots, but the others, who had also been flashing
around their beams, guiltily turned them off. Gregor
smiled. He could tell they all thought the flashlights
were pretty cool.
He only had about six spare batteries. The
Underlanders insisted that he keep them, and he didnt
put up much of an argument. Howard was right about
Gregor being the guy who had to take down the Bane,
186

and that sure wasnt going to happen in the dark, with

him relying on echolocation.
As Gregor was about to turn off his own flashlight,
something caught his eye. For days they had been in a
huge void, with no land in sight except for that deadly
island. Now he could see towering rock walls flanking
them on either side. They must be in some kind of
channel.
Twitchtips nose was going like crazy. We will be
there in minutes. And Photos Glow-Glow and Zap
have done their work. The rats are waiting for us.
Can you tell how many? asked Luxa.
Forty-seven, Twitchtip said without a pause.
They are waiting in the tunnels above the Tankard.
Whats the Tankard? asked Gregor.
Its a round, large shaft, very deep, half-filled with
water. The serpents sleep on its floor, said Twitchtip.
So, the serpents are some kind of fish? said Gregor.
No, they breathe air. But they can sleep underwater
for long periods, said Howard.
Gregor thought of alligators. They could sleep underwater, too. He hoped these werent giant alligators the
regular-sized ones were scary enough.
I can smell it! Twitchtip said. She rose up on her
187

back feet, leaning her front feet on the bow. I can

smell the Bane!
Up until that moment, Gregor had been secretly
half-hoping theyd gotten the whole thing wrong. That
maybe the Bane was like a fairy tale or a myth or
something, and the rats had just been planting the
rumor it was around. But if Twitchtip could smell it . . .
Are you sure? asked Gregor. I mean, how do
you know its the Bane and not another rat?
I can smell its whiteness, said Twitchtip. Only a
flash, here and there. Its deep in the Labyrinth, and
there are many layers of stone between us. But its
definitely there.
Gregor felt the need to move. He paced up and
down the four-foot strip of floor that was available to
him. Okay, so whats the plan? I mean, what do we
do when we get to this Tanker?
Tankard, said Howard. There are several
entrances to the Labyrinth in the tunnels above the
Tankard. Our original plan involved secretly slipping
into one of them and tracking down the Bane on foot.
But this was before the shiners turned on us.
So much for Plan A. Whats Plan B? asked Gregor.

188

There was a long pause. Come on, everybody has a

Plan B!
In all fairness to the council, Overlander, coming
up with any plan that brought us this far was difficult,
said Mareth. In the Underland, in the event that a
plan fails, we usually have two options to fall back on:
We may fight or flee.
Flee? Ahead lay rat-filled tunnels. Behind lay the
Waterway with nowhere to land except that island
teeming with flesh-eating insects. Theres nowhere to
flee! said Gregor.
That makes our decision simpler, said Howard.
He began to pass out swords.
Twitchtip, which entrance betters our chance of
survival? asked Mareth.
Theres one at the far end of the Tankard. Its right
at the waterline. No rats been in it for years. It may be
forgotten, or it may hold some danger that keeps the
rats away from it, although I cant detect what that
would be, said the rat.
Can you direct us once we enter the Tankard?
asked Mareth.
We are already here, said Twitchtip.

189

Gregor flipped on his flashlight, and the others

followed suit. They were floating across what appeared
to be a giant, round pool. The surface was as smooth
and unbroken as a mirror. There were no beaches; the
water went straight up to stone walls on all sides. Tunnel
openings dotted the walls, some almost concealed by
the waterline; others, hundreds of feet up. In many of
them, Gregor could see a large rat.
No one moved. Not the rats. Not the visitors. An
eerie silence surrounded them. Then there was a slight
scraping sound from above.
Splash! Something landed off to their right, causing
a fountain of water to spray into the air. Splash! Splash!
The rats were tipping boulders out of the tunnels and
sending them hurtling to the water below.
Well, thats weak. None of the rocks are even
getting near us, said Gregor. It was true; the boulders
were missing them by a mile. He felt a little better,
knowing the rats were launching such a worthless
attack.
Splash! Splash! Splash! Splash! Splash!
Luxa frowned. Something is wrong here.
Mareth nodded. Yes, it is not like the gnawers to
waste their energies on futile attacks.
190

Howards eyes widened, and he began waving his

arms frantically. Get the boat up! Fliers! Get the boat
up now!
Twitchtip sprang up at almost the same time.
Theyre waking! Theyre waking! Fly!
And thats when Gregor put it all together. The
rats werent trying to sink their boat with the rocks
they were trying to wake the serpents! Aurora and
Andromeda latched on to the front ropes; Ares got his
claws around the two loops in the back. They lifted the
boat out of the water, spinning it in a circle as they rose.
Where fly we? came from all three bats.
Twitchtip, where lies the tunnel? asked Mareth.
Stop spinning the boat so fast and Ill tell you!
said the rat. The bats maintained a slower circle, and
Twitchtip indicated a tunnel opening opposite the
channel theyd come in by. There! The one shaped like
an arch!
Gregor caught it in his flashlight beam. It was only
about six feet high, and you couldve swum right into
it. But its half under water! Does it even have a
floor?
Further in. Look, this is no time to be picky,
snapped Twitchtip. The serpents are !
191

Bam! Something hit the side of the boat, ripping

away a chunk of it. They were knocked sideways. The
bats barely managed to hang on.
Gregor thought one of the rats rocks had made
contact. Then he saw it. Oh! he gasped. Oh, geez!
His first thought was, So, I guess theyre not extinct
after all. He meant dinosaurs, but that wasnt quite
right. Dinosaurs had the ability to walk on land. This
creature propelled itself with flippers. Some kind of
aquatic reptile then, but as old as the dinosaurs. And as
big as the biggest skeletons hed seen at the museum in
New York City. Its body was a flattened oval. A whiplike
tail beat the water, causing waves to roll across the calm
pool. The neck was at least thirty feet long, and atop its
sinuous, scaly pink length was a bullet-shaped head.
There were indentations where eyes might have been,
somewhere in its evolution, but they were long gone.
What use were eyes to it down here? Its mouth opened,
letting loose a low howl that chilled Gregor right down
to his DNA. And then his light hit the teeth. Hundreds
and hundreds of teeth in three rows headed their way.
Crunch! Another piece of the boat was gone!
Abandon ship! Mareth choked out.
Gregor was impressed hed managed to form a
192

coherent sentence at all. He grabbed up Boots and his

pack in one swoop and stumbled for Ares.
On the count of three, everyone jumps! called
Mareth.
Gregor realized he meant jumps off the side of the
boat. It was the only way the bats could catch them.
He scrambled up onto the edge.
One two three! Gregor felt his legs pushing
off the boat, and then it was gone, but almost immediately Ares was under them. The bat dipped and
swerved, and Temp landed behind them. The poor
roach was shaking like a leaf. Well, who wasnt? Temp
began nudging him in the back with his head. Gregor
turned and saw the roach had a sword in his mouth.
Oh, man, thanks, Temp! Gregor said, grabbing
the hilt with his good hand. He hadnt even thought to
bring it. Some warrior.
Everyones flashlight was on high beam now, which
was good, since the single torch that had been lit had
just hit the water with a sizzle. A prehistoric nightmare
unfolded before them. Half a dozen serpents had
broken the surface of the pool, and Gregor had a bad
feeling that more were coming. They were swinging
their heads and tails through the air, trying to take
193

down whatever they could find. Since they had no eyes,

Gregor guessed they had some other direction system.
Maybe even echolocation.
There was no chance of fighting them. It was all
Gregor could do to cling to Aress back while the bat
dodged the heads and tails frantically. He caught
glimpses of Mareth and Howard on Andromeda, Luxa
on Aurora . . . but wait a minute! Where was Twitchtip?
Gregor heard a shriek and saw poor Twitchtip dangling
by the tail from a serpents mouth.
Go, Ares! he cried, and the bat flew straight for the
rat. Gregor lifted his sword to attack when a tail caught
Ares broadside and sent them hurtling into the air.
Boots flew from his arms. Boots! No! he screamed.
Ares! Get her, Ares! But the bat caught him first.
Luxa has her! the bat cried, before Gregor could
flip out. Luxa has her and Temp!
Get in the tunnels! Howard shouted as Andromeda
whizzed by. The tunnels! He was sitting upright on
the bat, trying to hold on to an unconscious, bloody
Mareth.
Twenty-foot-high waves were rolling across the pool
now, smashing into the rock walls. Rats who had not
moved quickly enough into their tunnels were screaming
194

in the serpents mouths. The air was filled with drenching splashes from the impact of the reptiles tails.
Gregor felt Ares dive. They went straight into the
waves, and for a moment he was submerged. When
they came up, he was coughing and bewildered. He
could feel his bat struggling under the weight of
something. They rose in the air, jerking this way and
that, as Ares dodged the numerous snapping mouths.
Then the bat rocketed toward a stone wall, dipped,
and they were inside a tunnel.
Ares dropped his burden and collapsed. Gregor rolled
off his back and hit the floor with a thud. There was light
behind them in the tunnel. Howard was rapidly working
over Mareth on the ground, while Andromeda hung
over them. One of Mareths pant legs was soaked in
blood. In front of him, Gregor saw the shuddering heap
of wet fur that was Twitchtip. Blood poured from her
nose, which appeared to have been smashed in, and
oozed from the stump that had been her tail.
There was a sound at the front of the tunnel, and
Gregor aimed his flashlight beam, hoping to see
Aurora come in with Luxa, Boots, and Temp.
Instead, shooting down the tunnel at them were
three rows of bared teeth.
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CHAPTER

18

he sword Temp had saved was still in his hand. As

the jaws were about to snap down on Twitchtip,

Gregor vaulted over her and drove the blade straight

down into the serpents tongue. Liquid spurted up into
his face. He stumbled back and slipped in a puddle of
Twitchtips blood. His feet went out from under him,
and he landed against the rats body.
The creature reared up, smashing its head into the
tunnel ceiling. Rocks showered down on them. Gregor
could physically feel the serpents primeval roar going
through him. It continued crashing its head up and
down in pain and rage as it withdrew from the tunnel,
the sword still lodged in its tongue.
Would more come in?
I need another sword! Gregor shouted, and
196

Howard tossed one up to him. He stood crouched

before Twitchtip, senses heightened. He could feel
himself buzzing on the edge of going into that rager
mode. He fought it, trying not to lose control as he
stood there awaiting the next onslaught. It never came.
Maybe word had gotten around that if you stuck your
head down this tunnel you could mess up your tongue.
Or maybe the serpents had found more interesting food.
Whatever it was, things were beginning to quiet down
out there. The howls became fewer, the splashes died.
Gregor unclenched his hands and turned around.
Ares was right behind him, providing backup. Twitchtip
had both paws on her nose to staunch the flow of blood.
Howard was pounding on Mareths chest, trying to
restart his heart.
Mareth! Gregor ran back to where the soldier lay
on the ground. Come on, Mareth!
Howard pounded a few more times and pressed his
ear against Mareths chest. His heartbeat is back!
What have you in your pack, Overlander?
Gregor dumped his pack on the floor. It held his last
batteries, the duct tape, the two candy bars, and a few
catch cloths hed put in to have handy in case Boots
needed a change.
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Howard ripped off the remains of Mareths bloodsoaked pant leg, revealing jagged flesh around a gaping
wound. A serpent bit him when we went to help
Twitchtip. He laid three catch cloths over the wound.
Hold them, he ordered Gregor. Then he wrapped the
duct tape around the leg to keep them in place. He sat
back on his heels and shook his head. We have to get
him home, if he is to survive. Warm him, Andromeda,
while I tend to the rat.
Andromeda lay beside Mareth and enfolded him in
her wings. I must take him home. I must take him
home.
Howard grabbed the last two catch cloths and went
to Twitchtip. He used one to bandage the stump of her
tail. I am sorry I had to sever it, he said to the rat.
There was no other way to free you.
I wouldve bit through it myself if I could have,
said Twitchtip.
Howard placed the other catch cloth over her nose
and wound duct tape around it. You will have to
breathe through your mouth, until it heals. The rat
nodded.
What happened to your nose? asked Gregor.

198

Just before Howard cut me free, a serpent crushed

it with his tail, said Twitchtip. I cant smell a thing.
You cant smell? said Gregor. Twitchtip would not
be able to smell the Bane then, but there was a much
more pressing matter. Then you cant tell, where my
sister is, I mean?
Do not fret, Overlander. My cousin and Aurora
are an excellent team. I am sure they have all taken
refuge in one of the tunnels, said Howard. But he
looked uneasy.
I believe they meant to, Twitchtip said, avoiding
Gregors gaze.
Gregor felt time stop. You believe they meant to?
Twitchtip hesitated. It was all very confusing. The
serpent was swinging me around and there was so
much motion, it was difficult to place any smell.
Luxa and Aurora caught Boots. They caught
Temp. Aurora said this to me, said Ares.
Yes, they did. I know their smells were all together.
But then . . . but then . . . there was water between
us, said Twitchtip.
What does that mean? There was water between
us? Gregor said.

199

It means . . . I still smelled them. But there was

water between us. Many feet of it. Their scent was
getting fainter. And thats when the serpent hit my
nose and everything went dark, said Twitchtip.
You think . . . they were pulled under, then? said
Howard.
I dont know for sure. But that would be my guess,
if I were forced to make one, said Twitchtip. She
looked up at Gregor. Im sorry, Overlander.
This did not happen. I will call. I will call for
Aurora now! Ares said, and shot out of the tunnel.
No one moved while he was gone. Gregors body
was slowly turning to ice. The numbness started in his
feet and began spreading up his legs. Over his hips. Up
through his stomach. By the time Ares came back and
landed beside him, it had reached his rib cage.
There is no answer, said the bat.
And the ice encircled his heart.
DIE THE BABY, DIE HIS HEART,
DIE HIS MOST ESSENTIAL PART.

They had killed Boots. Nothing could be worse than

this.
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He imagined going back to New York City and

walking in the front door of his apartment . . . alone.
What do you wish to do, Gregor? Howard
asked, after some indistinguishable period of time had
passed.
DIE THE BABY, DIE HIS HEART,
DIE HIS MOST ESSENTIAL PART.
DIE THE PEACE THAT RULES THE HOUR.
GNAWERS HAVE THEIR KEY TO POWER.

They were off celebrating somewhere, the gnawers.

Gnashing

their

ratty

teeth

and

laughing

and

congratulating one another on how well their plan had

worked. On how they had killed his baby sister and
broken him in two.
The ironic thing was that, for the first time, Gregor
could envision what he was going to do.
Gregor? repeated Howard.
The ice had come up over his throat, and his voice
was calm and cool. I want you guys to go home. Get
Mareth back. Twitchtip, too, if you can, said Gregor.
And what will you do, Overlander? asked
Twitchtip.
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Gregor felt the last bit of warmth disappear as the

ice went across his forehead and up over the top of his
head. There was nothing left that anyone could do to
him now. There was nothing left to fear.
Me? he said. Im going to go kill the Bane.

202

PART 3

The Maze

CHAPTER

19

ou cannot. You cannot do it alone, Howard said,

with a shake of his head.

Yes, I can, said Gregor. Tell them why, Twitchtip.

Twitchtip raised one rat eyebrow at Gregor, to see if
he was sure. He nodded. All right, then, she said.
He may stand a chance. Hes a rager.
The word had an effect on everybody. Ares and
Andromeda both ruffled their wings. Howards mouth
dropped open. A rager? he said. How know you
this?
Ragers put out a very specific scent when they
fight, said Twitchtip. Its slight, even for me, but I can
detect it. I smelled it the first time I met the Overlander,
but later wondered if Id confused it with Ripreds scent.
Hed been fighting as well.
205

I was hitting the blood balls that day, said

Gregor. That was the first time I felt like that.
Yes, and then when the squid attacked, I was
certain about it, said Twitchtip. I told him he was a
rager a few days later, but he denied it.
There was a pause, and Gregor could feel the others
watching him. Because I didnt want it to be true. But
that doesnt matter, what I want. I dont know what it
is; something happens when I fight. Something weird.
And if Twitchtip thinks she smells this rager thing on
me, shes probably right.
Well, say it is true, Gregor, and you are a rager. It
does not make you immortal. It does not mean you
can walk into a maze full of rats alone, said Howard.
He will not be alone, said Ares. I will be with
him.
And Ill lead him into the maze as far as Im able,
said Twitchtip. I got a good whiff of white fur before
I lost my nose. If I cant lead him to the Bane, I can get
him close.
Then Andromeda and I will come, too, said
Howard.
Youre not invited, said Gregor.
What? said Howard.
206

I dont want you in the maze, Howard. I want you

to take Mareth back and tell people what happened.
Someone has to. And if I dont come back, I need you
to somehow get word to my family, said Gregor.
You are not in charge of this mission, said
Howard. I had orders from Regalia.
Okay, but if you try to follow me, Ill fight you,
said Gregor.
You will not stand a chance on foot, fighting a
rager on a flier, said Ares.
Especially with a rat on their side, threw in
Twitchtip.
Howard was starting to lose it now. Maybe I will
take that chance! Maybe Andromeda will, too!
Please dont, Howard. Please go back. I dont
want my mom and dad waiting for Boots and me to
walk in the door when its not going to happen. And
sooner or later, if we dont show up, I know theyll
come looking for us, said Gregor. And they need to
know in Regalia, too. About Luxa. They have to find
a new queen or king now, right? Because no matter
what Luxa said, Nerissa probably cant handle it. So it
will be Vikus, then your mom, and then you. But if
you die, it will be
207

Stellovet. Oh, I did not think of that, said

Howard.
You going to leave her in charge of Regalia?
asked Gregor.
No, I am not, I am Howard ground the palms
of his hands into his forehead. Between losing Pandora
and Luxa, whom hed only just found, really, and the
responsibility of a kingdom hanging over him he
was clearly overwhelmed. I do not know what to do.
Andromeda, what say you?
I will not fight the Overlander and risk injuring
him. I am taking Mareth home, said Andromeda.
And you should come with me.
Oh . . . The resistance seemed to go out of
Howard. I cannot fight all of you, he said. He sat
there for a few moments, his head bowed. Then he
shook it off and tried to get back to business. Well,
then, every second counts if we hope to get Mareth
back alive. But Andromeda cannot make the flight
without rest, and there is nowhere safe to land.
That was true. They all pondered it, then Ares
spoke up. There are some pieces of the boat in the
Tankard. Not large, but they still float.

208

Maybe you could make them into a lifeboat, said

Gregor.
What is this, a lifeboat? asked Howard.
In the Overland, big boats, like ships and things,
have lifeboats attached to them. Theyre small boats you
can get in if your ship sinks or something, said Gregor.
If the boat were light enough to carry, and I could
rest for a few hours at times, I could make it, said
Andromeda.
Ares volunteered to search for wreckage.
Ill go with you, said Gregor. He needed to talk
to his bat. He waited until they were flying out over
the Tankard to speak. You dont have to do this,
Ares. Come after the Bane. Ill go alone.
No. We will go together, said Ares. Besides, the
gnawers have killed every reason I had to return to
Regalia. If by some strange chance we live and you
return home, the silence begins for me.
What the bat said was true. With Luxa and Aurora
gone, Ares would have no contact with anyone. He could
probably sit in his hideout for years without anyone
bothering to check on him. Gregor would go home, his
heart dead, and Ares would be as good as banished.

209

Okay, said Gregor. Well go together. He had a

feeling they would never have a discussion like this
again about whether one would go into danger
without the other. He didnt bother to thank Ares.
Somehow they were past thanking each other. Somehow it would almost be like thanking himself. Gregor
realized that the journey filled with squids and
whirlpools and mites and serpents and loss, great loss,
had changed them. It had made the oath they had
sworn in front of that furious crowd in Regalia real.
He remembered the feel of Aress claw clasped in his
hand and thought of the words hed said with Luxa
prompting him.
ARES THE FLIER, I BOND TO YOU,
OUR LIFE AND DEATH ARE ONE, WE TWO.
IN DARK, IN FLAME, IN WAR, IN STRIFE,
I SAVE YOU AS I SAVE MY LIFE.

Ares was his bat. Gregor was Aress human. They

were truly bonded now.
If there was one positive note, they made a good
haul. Ares found three pieces of the boat, and Howard
was able to fashion them into a sort of raft using the
210

last few strips of duct tape. It wasnt anything youd

want to try crossing the Waterway on, but when they
went down and tested it, it held up under the combined
weight of Gregor, Ares, and Howard.
It should do for a few hours at a time, said
Howard. Long enough for Andromeda to sleep a bit.
Almost as important as the boat wreckage were the
two packs they retrieved. They had washed up inside
one of the tunnels when the waves were high. The first
contained food. The second, to Howards great relief,
was his first aid kit.
Oh, this! This is as good as light itself! he said. He
immediately opened the pack and began to work on
everyone. He changed Mareths and Twitchtips
bandages, dousing the wounds with medicine. He
rewrapped Gregors arm, which was actually showing
some improvement, and dabbed Aress mite bites with
salve.
Howard insisted Gregor take the rest of the food,
since Mareth couldnt eat, anyway, and he and
Andromeda could live on raw fish. And who knows
what you will find in the Labyrinth?
Gregor took Mareths sword; Howard still had his
own.
211

Finally, they divided up light. They had two working

flashlights; Howards had died during the serpent
attack, and two had disappeared into the deep with
Luxa and Boots. So, there was one flashlight per party,
but Howard made Gregor take every spare battery.
Even with no light, Andromeda will get us home. You
have many more difficulties with which to contend.
Gregor nodded. He put his candy bars, the food,
and the spare batteries in one backpack. He wedged
Mareths sword between two straps. The flashlight
was still taped onto his good arm.
Andromeda flattened out her back, and they laid
Mareth on it. Howard tucked the spare blanket from
his first aid kit around him. Then he swung his leg over
the bats neck. Fly you high, Gregor the Overlander.
Fly you high, said Gregor. Although Been nice
knowing you seemed more appropriate. He didnt
really expect to see Howard again.
Andromeda took off, snagging the raft in her claws
as she left the tunnel. Almost immediately, they were
lost from view.
Gregor, Ares, and Twitchtip turned and headed into
the tunnel without a word.

212

CHAPTER

20

uided by what she remembered of the Labyrinth

before her nose was injured, Twitchtip led Gregor

and Ares through the maze. Almost at once, the tunnel

began to divide. Some paths led to intersections that
branched off into four or five directions. Others twisted
around like a corkscrew so that it took ten minutes to
cover the distance you couldve walked in one if the
path had been straight. As they moved farther into the
maze, the tunnels became even more unpredictable. A
narrow passage they could barely squeeze through
would suddenly open onto a huge cavern that in turn
would lead to an obstacle course of boulders.
It was hardest on Ares, since most of the journey
had to be made on foot. He hopped along, fluttering,
taking tiny, rapid bat steps in the tighter passages and
213

opening his wings with relief when they reached a

larger space.
There were no rats. They must have witnessed your
sisters fate, said Twitchtip. The gnawers think they
have defeated you, and the Bane is safe. But eventually
one will get your scent, and then the fight begins.
They drove themselves forward for about an hour,
then stopped to catch their breath.
You can remember all this? Just from what you
smelled from the Tankard? Gregor asked Twitchtip.
Well, that, and the fact that Im more familiar than
most with the Labyrinth. I lived here for about a year
after I was banished, panted Twitchtip. She was not
doing well. The bandages on her nose and tail stump
were soaked with blood, and her eyes had a hot,
fevered look.
I thought you lived in the Dead Land, said Gregor.
Not at first. I hid in a cave down by the Tankard.
The rats never came there because of the serpents. It
wasnt ideal, but it offered more protection than the
Dead Land. Then one day I dozed off gathering
mushrooms and a patrol saw me. I had to run, and the
only place left to go was the Dead Land, said

214

Twitchtip. I didnt speak to a soul for years. Then I

realized there was another rat around.
Ripred, said Ares.
He let me stay in his nest sometimes, if he was
gone. Youve been near there. Its where you first
spoke to him, said Twitchtip. Now he has a whole
band of rats. But I can only stay, he says, if I help you
find the Bane, said Twitchtip. Otherwise, Ill be on
my own again. This fear seemed to rouse her. We
have to keep moving.
As they took off again, Gregor found himself
thinking of Ripred. Letting Twitchtip stay near him in
the Dead Land, letting her use his nest and join his
pack, these could almost seem like acts of kindness.
But were they? Everything was conditional on Ripred
getting something back from Twitchtip. Ripred knew
he could use her and that incredible nose. Twitchtip
was desperate to belong somewhere again. They had
mutual need. Like Ripred and Gregor did. For
Twitchtip, like Gregor, the question would be what
would happen when that need ran out.
Or was he being too hard on Ripred? He seemed to
be friends with Vikus and Solovet. There had been

215

moments when Gregor thought hed sensed a genuine

compassion in the rat, behind the sarcasm and the snarls.
Maybe things were more complicated for ragers.
They certainly were for Gregor.
Twitchtip began to stumble, and Gregor could see
she was about to give out. She lost her footing one last
time, fell on her belly, and did not get up. He squatted
down beside her. Her breathing was rapid and shallow.
I cant go on, she said. It doesnt matter Im
at the end of my scent map, anyway. Ahead, the path
splits in three directions. Your guess is as good as
mine, she said.
Are we supposed to just leave you here? said
Gregor.
Ill rest awhile. If the rats dont find me, I may be
able to make my way back to my old cave. But, you . . .
you have to move forward now. You are close to the
Bane. I know it. The rats will smell you soon. Go . . .
go . . . , she gasped.
Gregor pulled out a hunk of meat and some stale
bread for her. What was there to say? Fly you high,
Twitchtip.
She laughed, and blood dripped from the bandage
on her nose. You dont say that to rats.
216

What do you say in a situation like this? asked

Gregor.
Like this? Run like the river, said Twitchtip.
Run like the river, Twitchtip, said Gregor.
You, too, said Twitchtip.
And Gregor and Ares left her lying on the tunnel
floor. When they came to the place where the tunnel
split in three, they paused. Gregor had an image of
Twitchtip, lying in the darkness, bleeding to death.
Ares read his thoughts. She is strong and cunning,
to have survived in the Dead Land on her own. And
she has a place near enough to hide.
I know, said Gregor.
She loathes her life alone. Your killing the Bane is
her only hope. If I were Twitchtip, I would not want
you to come back, said Ares.
Gregor nodded and surveyed the tunnels. Which
one looks good to you?
The one on the left, said Ares.
They followed it for a while, hit another corkscrew,
and somehow wound up back at the stop where the
three tunnels met.
On further reflection, I favor the right, said Ares.
They took the right tunnel and within five minutes
217

had reached a dead end and retraced their steps to the

opening.
I think you should choose, said Ares.
They headed down the middle tunnel and after about
twenty minutes arrived in a large, circular cavern. It was
almost perfectly cone-shaped, with the walls slanting up
fifty feet to meet at a single point at the top. Around the
base, at least a dozen tunnels led out from it like the
spokes on a bicycle wheel.
Oh, great, said Gregor. Now which way?
Ares had no idea. But, Overlander, it has been
many hours since we fed. If we are to continue, we
must eat.
When had they last eaten? Gregor tried to think
back back through the time with Twitchtip, through
the serpent attack, through the passage into the
Tankard, through Temps voice waking him, through
the night to that evening when they were all together.
Hed eaten a slab of raw fish and given Boots all his
bread and meat.
We shut eyes? he heard her little voice say, and a
hot pain stabbed him in the heart. He took a deep
breath, pushed Boots out of his mind, and imagined
the rats laughing. The ice sealed back over his chest.
218

Youre right. We have to eat, Gregor said, and

opened the pack. They sat on the stone floor, choking
down the dry food, washing it down with water from
a leather bag that looked like a wineskin.
There is something wrong about it. My still being
alive, Ares said out of the gloom.
How do you mean? asked Gregor.
When Henry and Luxa and Aurora are no longer.
How many days ago was it that you first fell? asked
the bat.
I dont know. Maybe five or six months, said
Gregor.
There was a match. Henry and I had scored seven
times. A feast was planned that night for Nerissas
birthday. The rats seemed far away. And then you ran
into the arena with your sister and the crawlers, and
nothing has ever been the same. What happened to
that world? How did it change so quickly? said Ares.
Gregor knew what he meant. His world had completely transformed the night his dad disappeared.
And it had never really been right since. I dont know.
But I can tell you this, that world its not ever
coming back.
I let my bond die. I am an outcast. Luxa and
219

Aurora are gone. It seems a crime for me to be alive,

said Ares.
It wasnt your fault, Ares. Not any of it, said
Gregor. Its like Vikus said to me once, we just all got
trapped in one of Sandwichs prophecies.
This did not seem to cheer Ares up much. For a
while he was silent, then his black eyes caught and
held Gregors gaze. Will it make us feel any better, do
you think, to kill the Bane?
I dont know, said Gregor. But I dont see how it
could make us feel any worse.
Aress head lifted sharply in a manner Gregor had
begun to recognize.
Rats? Gregor asked.
Two of them. Coming at a run, said Ares.
In seconds, Gregor was on Aress back. The bat
shot up into the cone, and they were circling as the rats
ran in. There were two, as Ares had predicted, with
mud-gray coats and gnashing teeth.
There he is! cried one rat.
We were fools to leave him with Goldshard, said
the other.
That will be remedied as soon as these are dead!
growled the first.
220

Although Gregor was well out of range, the rats

began to leap for him immediately. They could not
reach him, but they prevented Ares from flying down
low enough to escape through one of the tunnels.
Eventually, Gregor would have to fight them, and it
was best to do it now, before Ares tired or more rats
showed up.
As he pulled the sword from the strap on his pack,
the rager sensation began. He didnt fight it this time.
The rats broke up into fragments in his vision, as if he
were looking at their reflection in a shattered mirror,
but only certain parts were lit. He caught glimpses of
an eye, a spot under a raised paw, a neck . . . and
somewhere in his brain, he understood that these were
his targets.
Now, said Gregor quietly. And Ares began to
dive.

221

CHAPTER

21

regor was almost within striking distance of one

of the rats when something caused Ares to veer

straight upward. A third rat with an unusual gold coat

had bolted into the cone right beneath them.
That makes three to fight, Gregor thought as Ares
shot up and off to the side, but as the ground came
back into view, he could see the gold rat tearing the
throat out of one of his attackers. Then it spun around,
blood flying from its muzzle, to face the other gray rat.
Gregor shook his head slightly, to clear it. What
was going on?
Dont be an idiot, Goldshard! Hes come to kill the
Bane! snarled the gray rat.
I would rather have the Bane dead than have it
trust you, the gold rat hissed back. The rats voice
222

was slightly higher pitched, like Twitchtips, and Gregor

felt certain it was female.
All you guarantee is your own death! The gray
rat crouched down to lunge.
Someone will die, Snare, the question is who?
said Goldshard. As Snare sprang toward her, she went
into action.
Gregor had never seen a full-scale rat fight before.
Ripred had killed two rats in a tunnel en route to
rescuing his dad, but they hadnt had time to fight
back. Then the big, scarred rat had taken on some of
King Gorgers soldiers. But Gregor hadnt witnessed it
because he was busy leaping to what he had thought
would be his death. Now he had a birds-eye view.
When Goldshard had killed the first time, shed had
the element of surprise on her side. This time her
opponent was on the offensive. And Snare, who Gregor
was pretty sure was a male, was a lot bigger than
she was.
The combat was vicious. The rats attacked each other
in violent bursts. Theyd circle for a minute, looking
for an opening, then one of them would leap and there
would be a blur of teeth and claws. As they pulled
apart to circle again, both would have new wounds.
223

Snare lost an eye. Goldshards ear dangled from a

shred of fur. You could see the bone in Snares shoulder. Goldshards left front paw was snapped in two.
Finally, the gold rat came in on her opponents blind
side and locked her fangs on his neck. In the final throes
of death, Snare got his hind feet between their bodies
and slashed open the length of Goldshards belly. She lost
her grip, staggered back, and collapsed. Her intestines
spilled out on the ground. The rats lay a few feet apart,
eyes locked in hate, bodies helpless. With a terrible
gurgling sound, Snare suffocated in his own blood.
Goldshard turned her gaze to Gregor. The look was
pleading, and he was sure she wanted to say something
to him. Dont . . . , she whispered. But before she
could finish, her eyes glazed over, and she stopped
moving.
What just happened? Gregor blurted out.
I do not know, said Ares.
Are they dead? asked Gregor.
Quite dead. All three of them, the bat replied. He
coasted down to the ground, avoiding the pools of
blood that were spreading out from the rats bodies.
Do you know who they are? asked Gregor. Did
you recognize their names? Goldshard? Snare?
224

Not Goldshard, said Ares. I have heard of Snare.

He was one of Gorgers generals. He was out fighting
the war when Gorger fell. He must have joined with
the Bane then. It would make sense. Whoever is close
to the Bane would have much power when he becomes
king, said Ares.
Gregor hadnt spent much time thinking about the
rats political struggles, but now that he did, something
seemed strange. So why hasnt the Bane become king
yet? Youd think a rat as big and strong as he is would
have taken over by now, said Gregor. Whats he
waiting for?
Even the Bane must gather an army around him,
said Ares. He has his own enemies among the rats.
Ripred, for instance. He wants the Bane dead.
That was true. Part of Ripreds plan for his own rise
to power included killing the Bane. Snare had wanted
to keep the Bane alive, but Goldshard was willing to
let Gregor kill it rather than let it trust Snare.
There was something else about Goldshard. That
last look she had given him. Like she was begging him,
almost. What was it the rat had wanted to say to him?
Dont? Dont what? Hurt her? It was a little too late
for that.
225

Aress head snapped around to a tunnel entrance.

How many? asked Gregor.
Just one, I think, said Ares. It is hard to tell. The
path spirals. His chin jerked up again. This time,
Gregor did not have to ask; he had heard the scratching
himself. The sound stopped. Nothing emerged from
the tunnel. Suddenly Gregor knew why.
Its the Bane, he whispered to Ares. The bat gave
a nod of agreement. It had to be. The other rats would
simply attack, but the Bane knew it was being hunted.
By a human. By an Overlander. By the warrior.
The words of The Prophecy of Bane came back
to Gregor.
HEAR IT SCRATCHING DOWN BELOW,
RAT OF LONG-FORGOTTEN SNOW,
EVIL CLOAKED IN COAT OF WHITE
WILL THE WARRIOR DRAIN YOUR LIGHT?

Yes, he would. That was what the warrior had come

to do.
There was another faint scratch. It was in there
then. Just a few feet away. Waiting.
The tunnel mouth was small, only about five feet
226

high and four feet wide. There would be no flying in

on Ares. The Bane must know that. It wanted to lure
him in alone. Okay, then. Hed face it alone.
Gregor slid the pack off his shoulders and onto the
ground. He didnt want anything restricting his
movements. He checked the switch on his flashlight;
it was already on high beam. Gripping his sword, he
began to move toward the tunnel.
Aress wing came up to stop him. You cannot fight
him in there, Overlander.
Well, hes not coming out, said Gregor.
Wait, then, said Ares.
For what? Another bunch of rats to show up?
said Gregor.
Ares dropped his wing reluctantly.
Look, Ive got a feeling it was supposed to be this
way, anyway. Like I was supposed to do it alone, said
Gregor. But you be ready, because after I kill it, weve
got to get out of here fast. Okay?
I will be ready, said Ares. He extended his claw,
and Gregor grasped it with his hand.
Then Gregor turned to the tunnel. In the dozen
paces it took him to reach the opening, he could feel
himself slipping into rager mode, the heightened senses,
227

the rush of adrenaline, the selective vision. Every

molecule in his body was preparing to kill.
He moved swiftly inside and almost immediately
encountered the spiral Ares had mentioned. Another
corkscrew-like path. With his bad hand tracking along
the wall and his good one leading with his sword, he
went around one, two, three full turns and burst out
into a square chamber.
It was trying to hide from him, the Bane. He caught
just a glimpse of white fur, a flash of pink tail in a cave
off to the side of the chamber.
Gregor thought of Luxa, who would never be
queen, of Twitchtip bleeding on the ground, of his dad
crying on the phone, and of Boots . . . sweet, trusting
Boots . . .
Heart pounding, blind to everything except that
patch of fur, he lunged toward the cave. He raised the
hilt in the air, flipping the sword so it would come
down point first, at an angle. His bad hand joined his
good one, and with every ounce of strength he drove
the blade toward the Bane.
But just before the point made contact, the creature
made a sound that hit Gregor like a cannonball.
Ma-maa!
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CHAPTER

22

regor turned the sword at the last second, driving

it into the stone wall of the cave with such force

that the blade snapped off near the hilt and clattered
to the floor. His teeth rattled at the impact.
He fell back from the cave. Boots? he said
hoarsely. But he knew it wasnt Bootss voice. Thered
just been something in it that was so like how Boots
had sounded when she was upset, the pitch, the distress,
and the way shed break that word into two long
syllables. Ma-maa!
The chamber reeled around his head. Where was
the Bane? What was that white furry thing a few yards
away? Because it sure wasnt some ten-foot rat trying
to attack him!
Gregor forced himself forward and shone the
229

flashlight into the cave. Huddled against the wall,

shaking in fear, was a small, white rat. Suddenly it all
made sense to him why almost nothing was known
about the Bane, why it had not taken over the rat kingdom, why it had not attacked him. It was only a baby!
Still, it was the Bane. He was supposed to drain its
light. His blade had broken off, leaving a jagged
daggerlike weapon in his hand. It would be so easy to
kill the creature in front of him. But . . . but . . .
Ma-maa!
But it sounded just like Boots!
Oh, geez. Oh, geez, Gregor said, and tossed aside
what remained of his sword. He knelt down and
reached out his hand to pat the thing. Its okay.
Youre okay, baby.
The rat shuddered in terror and pressed back
against the wall, wailing its head off. Ma-maa!
Ma-maa!
Shh! Shh! Its okay. Im not going to hurt you,
Gregor said soothingly. Ares!
He shouldnt have shouted. Hed scared it again,
and now it was sobbing.
Ares scampered out of the last curve and wobbled
into the chamber. What is it? Where is the Bane?
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In here, Gregor said, gesturing to the cave. And

weve got a problem.
What? What? Ares had come in ready to fight
to the death, and now he was completely disoriented.
What is the problem?
This is the problem, said Gregor. He leaned
down and scooped up the baby rat in his arms. It
weighed about as much as a full-grown cocker spaniel.
One day it probably would be ten feet tall. But today, he
could pick it up and rock it. He turned to show Ares.
What is that? That is not the Bane! said Ares.
Actually, I think it is. Or at least, its a baby Bane,
said Gregor.
I do not believe it! That is some decoy. Some trick
of the gnawers to lure us into a trap so that they may
destroy us! said Ares.
I dont think so. I mean, look at its coat. How
many white rats have you ever seen? asked Gregor.
None. Save this, said Ares. But perhaps it is not
a rat! Perhaps it is a mouse they have captured and
used to deceive us! I have seen white mice!
Gregor examined the baby, but he was no rodent
expert. He held it up for Ares to inspect. You take a
look. Is it a mouse?
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No. It is most definitely a gnawer, said Ares.

So, you think there are two white rats? said Gregor.
Yes. No. I do not know. Two white rats at one
time, it is highly improbable. It must be the Bane.
Ohhh. Oh, Overlander. What are you going to do with
it? said Ares.
Well, I cant kill it, can I? I mean, its just a baby!
said Gregor.
Aha! I doubt that argument will hold much water
in Regalia! said Ares. Gregor had never seen him offbalance. The bat was fluttering around the chamber,
so agitated that he bumped into a wall.
Hey, you bumped into something! said Gregor.
The bats never bumped into anything.
Can you blame me? I am . . . we are . . . do you
have any idea what you hold in your arms? said Ares.
The Bane, I guess, said Gregor.
Yes! Yes! The Bane! The scourge of the Underland!
The creature who may well cause the extinction of
fliers, humans, and countless others. What we do at
this moment determines the fate of all who call the
Underland home! said Ares.
What am I supposed to do, Ares? Run my sword
through its head? Look at the thing! The Bane
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wiggled out of his arms and ran for the tunnel. Hey!
Wait a minute! Hold on, you!
Gregor chased the baby rat through the corkscrew
curves and out of the tunnel. What he saw made his
heart ache.
The little white rat was trying to curl up in the
curve of Goldshards neck. Ma-maa, it whimpered.
Ma-maa. Getting no response, it pawed frantically
at the dead rats face. Ma-maa!
He heard the rustle of Aress wings behind him.
So, thats it. She was its mom. And when she said
Dont to me . . . Gregor had to stop for a minute.
She was trying to say, Dont kill my baby.
She must have been desperate to keep it from
Snare. He would have taken the pup and raised it to
do his bidding, Ares said quietly.
Blood was staining the babys white fur. Its cries were
piteous. As if that wasnt enough to deal with, Aress
head whipped up.
How many this time? asked Gregor.
A dozen, at least, said Ares. You must decide
what to do, Overlander.
Gregor bit his lip. He couldnt decide. Everything
was happening too fast. He needed more time. Okay,
233

okay, he said. He bounded over and lifted the baby

into his arms. Were taking it with us.
We are? Ares said, as if the thought had never
crossed his mind.
Yeah. Because Im not going to kill it, and Im not
leaving it here for the other rats to use, said Gregor.
Ares shook his head in a combination of
exasperation and denial, but he offered his back.
Gregor grabbed his backpack in one hand, threw a
leg over Ares, and settled the Bane in front of him.
Okay, he said. Lets run like the river.
As Ares lifted into the air, a dozen rats galloped into
the cone. They took in the dead bodies, the bat, the
baby in Gregors arms.
The Overlander has the Bane! shouted one, and
the whole pack went wild, howling, leaping into the
air, slashing at the invaders with their claws.
Hold on! said Ares. Of the dozen tunnels that led
out of the cone, about four were big enough for Ares
to fly down. He dove for one, and they were off.
It was like the most horrifying theme park ride ever.
Gregor hated those rides, but they were nothing
compared to this spinning, jerking, flipping around in
the dark, with only his flashlight beam, and insane live
234

rats jumping out at him from every turn. Gregor clung

to Ares with his legs and one hand while he kept the
other arm wrapped around the baby.
At one point, when they were darting around a cave
barely evading several sets of snapping teeth, Ares
cried out, Use your sword!
I dont have it! It broke and I left it back in the
cave! said Gregor. He hated dumping this whole
escape thing on Ares, but what could he do?
Ares twisted sideways and made it into a tunnel
with the rats hot on his tail.
The baby rat had given up crying Ma-maa!! and
was now issuing a series of high-pitched alarm shrieks.
Eek! Eek! Eek!
Make it stop, Overlander. Its voice carries great
distances. Every rat in the maze can hear that the pup
is threatened! shouted Ares.
Gregor remembered how far Bootss cry carried
through doors, down hallways, you could even hear
her on the elevator when you were coming up. It was
like nature had designed her baby cry so it would
travel. Must be the same with rats.
At first he tried to calm the Bane with his voice. It
wasnt enough. It might have helped if they were sitting
235

somewhere quietly on the ground, but it was useless

here in this nightmare of motion. He tried stroking its
back and head, but that didnt work, either. Gregors
human voice and touch and smell were just more scary
unknown things to the rat. Finally he managed to get a
hand into his backpack and pull out one of the candy
bars. He ripped it open, broke off a piece, and stuck it
into the babys wailing mouth.
There was an Eek! of surprise, then a smacking
sound, and the Bane was consumed by its first
wonderful taste of chocolate.
More! It was so weird to hear the rat baby talking,
but it was. More! it said again, just like Boots would
have.
Gregor popped another piece of chocolate into the
little rats mouth, and it was gobbled up. The Bane
seemed to think better of him now that he had given it
chocolate. It relaxed a little, back into his body, which
made it easier to hold on to.
You think were almost out of here? Gregor said
as they swept out of a tunnel.
See for yourself, said Ares.
Gregor shone the flashlight around the place theyd
just entered. Lying on the floor were Goldshard, Snare,
236

and the third rat. No! What are we doing back here?
he gasped.
Perhaps you should try navigating! said Ares.
What with him insisting on taking the Bane, having no
sword, and being pretty worthless in general at the
moment, Gregor could tell the bat had lost patience
with him.
Okay, okay, Im sorry, said Gregor.
It is our scent, Overlander, said Ares. They
track us with such ease. I cannot lose them.
Hey, I know! said Gregor. Maybe we can trick
them! Hed seen some movie once where a guy
running from bloodhounds had fooled them. We
need to confuse their noses. But with what?
Gregor ripped the bandage from his arm. It was
soaked with blood and pus and ointment. Fly around
the cone, Ares! I need to touch the top of every tunnel.
Ares followed his instructions, if not his plan.
Why do we do this?
Gregor held out the bandage and swiped it along
the inside of every tunnel entrance as they passed it.
Im just trying to spread our scent around.
They completed the full circle, hitting each tunnel
opening. Gregor tossed the bandage up the last one.
237

They come! warned Ares.

Get out! Get out now! said Gregor.
Ares dipped into a tunnel they had not yet tried. After
about thirty seconds, they could hear the rats reaching
the cone. And they were confused. Different rats were
calling for them to chase down different tunnels. A big
argument broke out, and then the sound of fighting.
It grew softer as they moved away, until Gregor
could no longer hear it at all.
Ares zigzagged down a tunnel, and this one opened
out over a nice, wide, shallow stream.
I must stop for a moment . . . I must drink . . .
Ares landed on the edge of the stream, panting. He
dunked his face in the water, gulping it down.
Gregor got down and scooped up handfuls of water
for himself and the Bane. The stream was not too
deep, but the current was fairly strong and he didnt
want the baby being swept away.
Ares raised his wet face. I have only just thought
of something, said Ares. This stream. Where do you
suppose it goes?
I dont know. A bigger stream. Maybe a river
eventually, or Gregor caught Aress drift. On his very

238

first night in Regalia, when hed tried to escape, hed

followed the water out of the palace. It had led to a river
that had led to the Waterway. Its sure worth a try.
Gregor hauled the Bane onto Aress back, and they
took off again.
It was not too promising for a while. The main
thing about the stream was that it was long and it had
as many twists and turns as the tunnels in the maze.
Gregor could feel Aress wings slowing; he was going
to have to have a real rest soon. But to stop in the
maze was certain death. The rats would catch up to
them. Gregor had no sword. The baby would begin to
cry again, and then they would
A river, Ares puffed out. A river is at hand.
In another minute, they followed the stream out of
the tunnel and into a huge cavern. A river ran through
it. They were out of the maze!
Ares flew up high above the water. There were
stony cliffs along the sides.
Any rats around? asked Gregor.
Just the one on my back, said Ares.
You want to pull over and take a break? said
Gregor.

239

In a short while. I want to put more distance

between the gnawers and us. They will be coming,
Overlander. We have the Bane, said Ares.
Yeah, I bet they hate that, said Gregor. He petted
the Banes head. It was getting used to him now. It
curled up against him and gave a big yawn. Youve
had a pretty big day, huh, little guy? It didnt take
long for it to fall asleep.
They flew awhile in silence. Then Ares spoke in an
odd voice. Overlander, I think I know this place. I
think we both do.
What? said Gregor. How could he possibly know
where they were?
Shine your light down, said Ares.
Gregor obeyed. There below them was the river,
very wide now, and very strong. Hanging down from
the high banks on either side of it were the remnants of
a broken bridge.
Oh, said Gregor. And the memory of that day
flashed before his eyes. Running across the bridge,
trying to go back for Boots, Ripred carrying him by his
backpack as the bridge swung dizzyingly below, being
smacked to the ground by Ripreds tail while the rat
and Luxa and Henry and Gox had hacked away at the
240

ropes that held the bridge and the pack of rats catching
up to the cockroaches and his baby sister and
and
It was the place where Tick had died.
Youre right, said Gregor. How did we end up
here, do you think?
The Tankard, the Labyrinth, and what remains of
this bridge are all in the rats domain, said Ares. At
least now we have some sense of where we are.
The bat coasted in and landed on the riverbank
across from where the bridge had been hacked off. It
will be safer on this side. The rats would have great
difficulty swimming the river, which is, as we know,
filled with flesh-eating fish.
Gregor climbed off Aress back holding the Bane,
who was snoring softly. They were at the mouth of a
tunnel. He ran his flashlight beam over the surrounding
rocks, remembering how theyd been filled with waiting
rats on their first visit. Now the rocks were empty.
Anything in the tunnel? he asked Ares.
The bat shook his head. Not as far as I can tell. I
believe we are safe for the moment. Overlander, I must
rest.
He could see Aress weary eyes starting to shut.
241

You go ahead and sleep. Ill keep watch, he said.

And, Ares? You were amazing back there.
I was not bad, Ares agreed, and promptly fell
asleep, his back to the tunnel wall.
Gregor trained his flashlight down the tunnel. If
any intruders appeared, he would be ready. He sat
cross-legged on the ground with the Bane on his lap.
The baby stirred restlessly in its sleep, probably reliving
the trauma of the last few hours. He patted its back to
quiet it. The Banes fur was stiff with its mothers dried
blood.
The baby snuggled closer to him. It was so much
like holding Boots. Boots. Why wasnt he crying about
her? He had cried for a roach, in a cave just across the
river there, but hadnt shed one tear for his sister. He
remembered how Luxa had told him, in that same
cave, that she hadnt cried since her parents died. It
had been that bad. Maybe something like that was
happening to Gregor.
His fingers traced the outline of one of the babys
soft ears.
So it turned out Sandwich had been right again.
The rats had killed Boots, and he could not kill the
Bane. Although, Gregor didnt think he could have
242

killed the Bane even if Boots had survived. Or could he

have? If he had thought that only one of them could
live? He didnt know. But it didnt matter anymore.
Now what? he thought. Now what? He had to
think clearly. He had to figure out what to do with the
Bane.
He couldnt take it back to the rats land. Goldshard
had lost her life trying to protect it from her fellow
rats. If he showed up with it in Regalia, he bet the
humans would decide to kill it. If they let it live, which
seemed unlikely, the rats would definitely overrun the
city trying to get it back. For a brief moment he
wondered if he could take it home with him, but he
knew his mom wouldnt have any part in raising a tenfoot rat, especially when Boots had
Okay, so what did that leave? Nothing, pretty
much.
He looked out over the water.
This was such a sad place. Not just because of Tick,
but because when hed come through here on the first
quest, hed been in a party of ten, and of that ten, how
many were still alive? He did the math in his head.
Three. Only three. Tick had died here. Henry and Gox
were lost when they rescued his father. Luxa, Aurora,
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Temp, and precious Boots drowned at the Tankard.

The only ones left alive were he and Ares and Ripred.
Ripred. He was going to go crazy when he found
out Gregor hadnt killed the Bane. He wanted the Bane
dead. Thats why hed brought Twitchtip and tried to
teach Gregor echolocation. But then Ripred hadnt
known the Bane was a baby, either. Would that make
any difference to the rat? Maybe, just maybe, it would.
Gregor felt a plan beginning to form in his head.
Ares awoke after about three hours, famished. He
went down to the river and came back with a large
fish, not one of the flesh-eating kind. The Bane awoke
and wolfed down fish with the bat while Gregor
scraped the mold off a piece of cheese and finished the
last of the bread.
While they ate, he bounced his plan off Ares. Okay,
I have an idea about what to do with the Bane.
I am listening, said Ares.
This tunnel, it leads back to Ripreds nest, said
Gregor.
Does it? said Ares.
Yeah, remember? Twitchtip said his nest was where
we first met him. And we first met him at the other end
of this tunnel, said Gregor.
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Oh, yes, after we had fought the spinners, said

Ares.
Right, so I say we go find Ripred and give him the
Bane and let him deal with it, said Gregor. Ares
opened his mouth to object, but Gregor held up his
hand. Wait! Only tell me why we cant do it if you
can come up with a better plan.
There was a very, very long pause. I do not have
a better plan, but this one has no possible good
endings, said Ares.
Probably not, said Gregor. So, should we give it
a try?

245

CHAPTER

23

res insisted Gregor sleep for a few hours. When he

woke, they began their trek into the tunnel. It

was narrow initially, but soon opened up into a space

wide enough for Ares to fly, which was a relief, since
Gregors arms were aching from carrying the Bane.
They stopped to break for a drink at a stream in a
cavern.
Remember you this place? asked Ares.
No, said Gregor. Wait, maybe . . . They had
stopped here to rest when Ripred was their guide. Is
this where Henry tried to kill Ripred in his sleep?
Yes, and you stepped between them, said Ares.
I couldnt figure out if you knew Henry was going
to try to kill him, said Gregor.
I did not. It was one of many things Henry neglected
246

to mention to me, said Ares. Gregor could tell he didnt

want to talk about it anymore.
As they flew on, the Bane began to whimper for its
mother again. How bizarre this must all seem to the
baby rat. Flying through the air on a bat, being held by
a human, knowing something very wrong had happened
to its mother. Gregor fed it the rest of the chocolate bar
from the Labyrinth. He had one left but decided to save
it for a real emergency.
The smell of rotten eggs began to permeate the tunnel,
and Gregor knew that they were fast approaching the
cavern where they had first encountered the spiders,
Treflex and Gox. Ares landed at the entrance, and they
went in on foot. The sulfur-scented water still rained
down the walls. There, on the floor, was the husk of
Treflexs body, all that remained of the spider after his
companion, Gox, had drained his insides.
Want to rest? asked Gregor.
Not here, said Ares.
Good, Gregor said, even though what lay ahead
was nasty.
The tunnel dripped the evil-smelling water down on
them. Ripred had taken them through it with the idea
of concealing their scent from the rats, and they had
247

certainly reeked of rotten eggs when they came out.

This trip was, if possible, less comfortable. Gregor had
been wearing a hard hat the first trip, which had
offered some protection. He had not been injured. He
had been eager to find his father instead of dreading
the moment when they next met. And he had been
carrying Boots on his back, not a rat in his arms.
Poor Ares had ridden on Temps back before, because
the tunnel was so narrow and long. Now he limped
along, scraping his wings on stone outcroppings,
ducking his head in the eye-stinging drizzle.
In minutes, they were all soaked. The rat mewed
miserably. Gregor trudged along, putting one foot in
front of the other. He and Ares did not speak the entire
time they were in the tunnel, although it was many hours.
When eventually they staggered out of the mouth
into open space, Gregors knees gave way under him
and he sat on the ground hard. He expected the Bane,
whod been squirming for most of the trip, to try to
run off. Instead, it burrowed up under his shirt and
pressed against his chest.
Ares slumped against a rock next to him.
Are there rats around? asked Gregor.

248

About ten are coming now. But that is what we

want, right? said Ares.
That is what we want, said Gregor.
Neither of them made any attempt to move as the
rats surrounded them. And then, he saw the diagonal
scar that split Ripreds face.
If I had known that you were coming, Id have
fixed the place up, said Ripred.
Dont bother. We wont be here long. I just came
to give you a present, said Gregor.
For me? You shouldnt have, said Ripred.
You brought me Twitchtip, said Gregor.
Not because I expected anything in return, said
Ripred. His nose was beginning to move; his eyes
fastened on the lump under Gregors shirt.
Youre getting something, anyway, Gregor said,
and pulled up his shirt. The Bane slid out on the floor
in front of him. Every rat except Ripred gasped. Seeing
another rat, the baby started to run to Ripred, but it
jumped back at the violent hiss that issued from his
mouth and scurried over to Ares.
You dont like little kids, do you? said Gregor.
Ripred had hissed at Boots, too.

249

Not this one in particular, snarled Ripred.

Whats it doing here?
I didnt know where else to take it, said Gregor.
You were supposed to kill it! said Ripred.
But I didnt. I brought it to you, said Gregor.
And what makes you think I wont kill it? said
Ripred.
I dont think youd kill a pup, said Gregor.
Ha! Ripred said, pacing angrily in a circle. Gregor
wasnt sure whether that meant yes or no.
Okay, how about I dont think youd kill the
Bane? Because if you do, youll never get the other rats
to follow you, said Gregor.
It was lucky hed been sitting down, because Gregor
smacked back onto the rock so fast, he would have
cracked his skull open if hed been standing up. As it
was, it hurt plenty.
Ripred pinned him to the ground with one paw as
he bared his fangs in Gregors face. And have you also
thought that, under the circumstances, I might very
well kill you?
Gregor swallowed hard. The answer was yes. But
instead of admitting it, he looked Ripred dead in the
eye and said, Okay, but I think Id better warn you
250

that, if we fight, youve only got a fifty-fifty chance of

winning.
I do? said Ripred. It was enough to distract him
for a second. And why is that?
Because Im a rager, too, said Gregor.
Ripred began to laugh so hard he fell over on his
side. The other rats were laughing, too. Gregor didnt
even feel like sitting up. Its true, he said to the
ceiling. Twitchtip smelled it on me. Ask Ares.
No one asked Ares; they were guffawing too hard.
That was one thing you had to give the rats: They
enjoyed a good joke. Finally Ripred pulled himself
together and swept his tail around, shooing the other
rats away. Go, he said. Leave them to me.
All right, Rager, he said when they were gone.
Tell me what happened, and dont leave out any details.
I left you after our sorry excuse for an echolocation
lesson and
And then I ran into Nerissa, said Gregor. He told
Ripred everything: about the fireflies and squid tentacles,
about saving Twitchtip at the whirlpool and losing
Pandora at the island, about the serpents in the
Tankard and taking refuge in the cave. And then he
found he couldnt go on.
251

Yes, you six were in the cave and what about the
others? asked Ripred.
They were lost, Ares said, after it was clear Gregor
wasnt going to answer. And the bat picked up the
story, telling how the remaining group had split. How
Twitchtip had led them until shed collapsed. How
Goldshard and Snare had fought. How Gregor had
taken the Bane. And now we are here.
Ripred looked at them thoughtfully. So, you are.
Whats left of you, he said. I am sorry for your
losses.
That was the thing about Ripred: One minute he
was about to kill you, and the next he seemed to
understand it was all you could do not to curl up into
a ball and die.
Just out of curiosity, Gregor, what do you expect
me to do with that pup if I dont kill it? said Ripred.
I thought you might, you know, kind of raise it.
Everyones so afraid of what its going to turn into.
And if Snare had got hold of it, it probably wouldve
grown up to be a monster. But maybe if you take care
of it and stuff, it might turn out okay, said Gregor.
You thought Id be its daddy? said Ripred, as if
he hadnt heard right.
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Or, at least its teacher. One of the other rats could be

its parent, said Gregor. Just for, you know, eighteen
years, or whatever.
Ah, heres something you obviously dont know
about rats, said Ripred. That ball of fluff over there
will be full grown by the time youve seen another
winter.
But . . . its just a baby, said Gregor.
Only humans grow so slowly, said Ares. It is
one of their great weaknesses. The rest of us in the
Underland mature as the rats do. Some even more
quickly.
But how do you teach it everything it has to
know? said Gregor.
Rats learn faster than humans. And what does it
really need to know? To eat, to fight, to find a mate, to
hate everyone who is not a rat. It doesnt take long to
learn these things, said Ripred.
You know other things, said Gregor. About
what goes on in the Overland, even.
Well, Ive spent a lot of time in your libraries at
night, said Ripred.
You come up and read books? asked Gregor.
Read them, eat them, whatever mood strikes me,
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he said. All right, Overlander, you may leave the pup

with me. I wont kill it, but I cant promise I can teach
it much. And you know, there will be hell to pay in
Regalia.
I dont care, said Gregor. If they think Im going
to do their dirty work, they can think again.
Thats the stuff, Boy. Youre a rager. Dont let them
push you around, said Ripred.
I am a rager, said Gregor sheepishly.
I know. Its just that there are brand-new ragers,
and there are old veteran ragers who have fought in
countless wars. And you would be . . . ? said Ripred.
The first kind, said Gregor. And I dont even
have a sword.
Hows your echolocation coming along? asked
Ripred.
Its not, said Gregor. I stink at it.
But youll keep practicing, because you have such
unflagging confidence in my judgment, said Ripred.
Okay, Ripred, Gregor said, too tired to get into
an argument about the whole worthless echolocation
thing. He stood up. Are you going to be able to
handle it? The Bane, I mean?

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If its anything like its mother, Ill have my paws

full, said Ripred. But Ill manage.
Gregor went over and patted the baby on the head.
You take care, you hear? The Bane nuzzled his
hand.
Give it this, when were gone, Gregor said,
handing Ripred the remaining candy bar. Itll help.
Ready, Ares?
Ares fluttered forward, and Gregor climbed on his
back. Oh, yeah, and about Twitchtip. Youll let her
stay if she makes it back, right?
Oh, dear. You havent become attached to
Twitchtip, have you? said Ripred.
As rats go, she is among our favorites, said Ares.
Ripred grinned. She can stay if she can drag her
pathetic hide back here. Fly you high, you two.
Run like the river, Ripred, said Gregor.
As they flew off, he looked back over his shoulder.
The Bane was sitting next to Ripred, eating the candy
bar, paper and all.
Maybe it would work out in the end.

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CHAPTER

24

fter they had flown for a while, Gregor remembered

that Ares hadnt rested after the long trip through

the tunnel. You want to find a place and take a nap?

he asked. I can keep watch. But even as he spoke, he
yawned. He hadnt had much sleep, either.
I am strangely wakeful, said Ares. Why do you
not sleep while we fly? I will rouse you when I have
need of rest.
Okay, thanks. Gregor stretched out on Aress
back. The fur was damp, and it smelled of rotten eggs,
but Gregors clothes were in no better condition.
Beneath the fur was the warmth of Aress body. He
closed his eyes and let oblivion take over.
Ares let him sleep about six hours before waking
him. They camped in a niche high in the rocks of a
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cavern. The bat conked out immediately after providing

Gregor with a few raw fish.
Gregor picked up one of the fish and ripped off a
strip of skin with his teeth. Then he took a bite of the
cold meat. Howard had always cleaned the fish with a
knife, cutting neat pieces away from the bones. Gregor
didnt have a knife or even a sword now. And what did
it matter, anyway? Still, hunched over his fish on the
stone ledge, he felt like he was in a time warp. Hed
become a Neanderthal man or something, tearing into
raw flesh, just trying to get the life-sustaining calories
into his body. That must have been a hard life. Of
course, his own wasnt exactly a picnic.
He thought longingly of rich, fatty foods. Mrs.
Cormacis lasagna, loaded with cheese and sauce and
noodles. Chocolate cake with thick frosting. Mashed
potatoes and gravy. He ripped off a stubborn piece of
fish with a grunt. It didnt take long, he thought, to
erase hundreds of thousands of years of change if you
were hungry.
Gregor wiped his hands on his pants and leaned
back against the stone. He found himself staring into
his flashlight beam, drawn toward the one bit of light
in this huge, dark place. He was down to his last set of
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batteries. If they ran out, hed be entirely dependent on

Ares to get him out. Who was he kidding? He was
already entirely dependent on the bat. In fact, it didnt
really seem fair. Ares kept them alive about ninety percent of the time, anyway. Gregor didnt feel like hed
really been holding up his end of this bond thing.
So, stop staring at your flashlight and keep an eye
out for trouble! he thought. Disgusted with himself,
he swept the beam over the surrounding rocks.
Nothing new. Still, he had to get better about being on
watch. Howard had said there were tricks to keeping
your mind alert. Gregor did his multiplication tables
for a while; that seemed to help. Next he tried to
remember the capitals of all fifty states. But that only
lasted for, well, fifty states. Finally, he forced himself to
calculate something hed been consciously ignoring:
the number of days hed been in the Underland.
It was almost impossible to figure out. Hed been in
Regalia less than two days before theyd set sail on the
Waterway, he was pretty sure of that. He thought
someone had said the trip to the Labyrinth was about
five days. Then another day or two until he met up
with Ripred? Nine days? Ten?
His family must be a complete wreck. He would be
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coming home right around Christmas. Without Boots.

Forever.
Gregor went back to his multiplication tables.
When Ares woke up, there was more raw fish and
then they took off again. They followed the same pattern
for a day or two. Gregor sleeping while Ares flew, Ares
sleeping while Gregor kept watch, until finally Gregor
awoke to the words, Overlander, we are here.
They were not moving. Gregor sat up and rubbed his
eyes. The light was brighter than any hed encountered
for days. He slid off Aress back onto a polished stone
floor and looked around. They were in the High Hall.
It was completely empty. Somewhere, not too far away,
he could hear music playing.
Where is everybody? asked Gregor.
I do not know. But if there is music, there must be
some sort of gathering, replied Ares. I believe it is
coming from the Throne Room.
They shuffled along a few corridors and came to the
doorway of a huge room that Gregor had never seen
before. The floor sloped down slightly, like a movie
theater, and was filled with rows and rows of stone
benches. The place was packed with bats and humans,
who were dressed a lot fancier than usual. Many people
259

held objects wrapped in cloth and tied with ribbons.

Presents, maybe? Everyones attention was on a large
stone throne at the far end of the room. Nerissa was
sitting on the throne.
They had cleaned her up for the occasion. Her
unkempt hair had been worked into elaborate braids
and piled on top of her head. A jewel-trimmed gown
hung loosely off her bony shoulders. Vikus stood
behind her. He was reciting some sort of speech as he
lowered a large gold crown onto her head. It was hard
to imagine either Nerissa or Vikus looking sadder than
they did at this moment.
Whats going on? whispered Gregor.
A coronation. They are crowning Nerissa queen,
Ares said softly.
Luxa had been right. If she died, Nerissa would be
crowned, and not Vikus, and his family. At least, not yet.
So I guess Howard and those guys got back, said
Gregor. How else would they know that Luxa was dead?
So it would seem, said Ares.
If Mareth had survived, he would be down in the
hospital, but Howard and Andromeda should be here.
Gregor looked around the hall but couldnt find them.
Vikus finished speaking just as he settled the crown
260

on Nerissas head and released it. Her thin neck bent

forward under the weight, and Gregor thought how illsuited she was to be queen of this violent, warring place.
Whether she was mentally unstable or actually could
see the future wasnt the issue. The girl was too weak to
hold up her head with a crown on it. The image of Luxa
shoving back her gold band flashed before Gregors
eyes. Whether she wanted to be queen or not, there was
no doubt in his mind she would have been up to the job.
But she was gone now.
Howard was right: They should have made Vikus
king. Vikus would make a good leader; he was smart
and diplomatic. And he did not seem like he would let
power go to his head.
As Nerissa braced her hands on the arms of the
throne and managed to raise her head, her eyes caught
Gregors. Something registered on her face, and then
she fainted dead away, tumbling to the floor. The
crown hit the stone with a clank and then rolled off.
There was a big commotion. A stretcher appeared
almost immediately, and Nerissa was carried away.
There was a lot of head shaking and murmuring in the
crowd from the Underlanders who had probably been
opposed to Nerissa being made queen in the first place.
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Then somebody spotted Gregor and Ares. They had

been standing in the doorway, unnoticed, since everyone
had been watching the crowning. Now hundreds of
faces turned their way and began to shout questions.
Gregor could see Vikus waving for him to come down.
This wasnt really how he would have chosen to reveal
the story about the Bane. He had planned to tell Vikus,
alone, and then head home. But that option was gone.
As Gregor and Ares made their way down the aisle
to Vikus, the crowd parted and gradually grew silent.
By the time theyd reached the throne it was as if
everyone was holding their breath.
Greetings, Gregor the Overlander, Ares, we are
happy to see you alive. What news do you bring us?
asked Vikus. Did you find the Bane?
We found it, said Gregor.
The Underlanders broke into chatter. Vikus
motioned for them to be quiet. And did you drain its
light? he asked.
No, we took it to Ripred, Gregor said.
There was a moment of disbelief, and then the
crowd went crazy. He could see the faces, human and
bat alike, twist into fury. Something hit him on the side
of his head. His hand went up and came away bloody.
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A small, ornate crystal jar was down by his feet. It

must have been meant as a present for the new queen.
More objects began to rain around him. An ink pot. A
medallion. A goblet. The one thing they had in
common was that they were all made of stone. Gregor
realized that it didnt matter how beautifully the gifts
were carved. You could call them works of art, but it
didnt change the fact that he and Ares were being
stoned to death.
Ares tried to get between Gregor and the mob, but
it was no use. It was pressing in, forcing the pair up
against the back wall. Voices cried out for their death.
Gregor remembered Ripreds words. And you
know, there will be hell to pay in Regalia. The rat
might have been a little more specific!
Through the chaos he heard a horn blowing and
then the crowd was falling back. A ring of guards
formed a semicircle around them. They were escorted
out of the room.
You will follow, said a woman who seemed in
charge, and Gregor did, happy to be getting away
from the mob.
They went down flight after flight of steps, and
eventually reached a quiet hallway deep under the
263

palace. The woman held a stone door open for them,

and Gregor sensed that this was odd. There were few
doors of any kind in the palace.
He and Ares went inside the torchlit room, and the
door swung shut behind them. There was the sound of
something sliding into place. Where are we? he asked
Ares. Is this like a special room to keep us safe?
It is to keep others safe from us, said Ares. This
is the dungeon. We have been placed under arrest for
high treason.
What? said Gregor. What for?
For committing crimes against the state of Regalia,
said Ares. Did you not hear the charge?
Gregor hadnt heard anything but a bunch of
people yelling.
Oh, man! He pounded on the door with his fist.
Let me out of here! I want to talk to Vikus! There
was no response. He gave up pretty soon since it really
hurt to hit the stone door.
He turned back to Ares. So, treason, huh? Thats
great. What happens if were found guilty? We get
banished or something?
No, Overlander, said Ares. The punishment for
treason is death.
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CHAPTER

25

eath? It took Gregor a moment to register. You

mean . . . theyre going to kill us for not killing

the Bane?
If it is determined that it was a treasonous act,
said Ares.
And who decides that? Gregor asked, hoping it
was Vikus.
A tribunal of judges. The final sentence must be
approved by the queen, said Ares.
Well, Luxa isnt going to let them he started.
Then he remembered that Nerissa was queen now. No
telling what she would do. Would Nerissa let them
kill us?
I do not know. I have not seen her since I allowed

265

her brother to fall to his death, said Ares. I could

not face her.
Gregor slid down the wall and sat clumsily on the
ground, overwhelmed. He had risked so much, lost so
much for these people, and now they were going to kill
him?
I am sorry, Overlander. I should not have brought
you back to Regalia. I should have foreseen this would
be a possibility, said Ares. This is all my fault.
Its not your fault, said Gregor.
I thought there was a very good chance we would
be banished, but then I could have flown you home. I
am as good as banished, anyway, so what matter? But
treason . . . I did not think they would take it this far.
They have never put an Overlander on trial before,
and certainly not one so young. Ares began to rock
back and forth. He seemed to be talking more to himself
than to Gregor. I cannot let this happen! I have
already lost one bond; whatever his intentions, it does
not change the fact that I let Henry die. I will not lose
the Overlander, I will not let him be wait! I have a
plan! Ares turned to Gregor, his eyes darting around
as the plan took shape. I will tell them that this was
all my idea. That I would not let you kill the Bane . . .
266

I . . . I . . . stole your sword . . . yes! That will work

because you came home without one. And then I
forced you to take the Bane to Ripred because I am in
a league with the rats. They will believe this . . . I am
much hated and deeply distrusted here already!
Gregor stared at Ares in disbelief. Did Ares actually
think he would agree to that? Im not going to let you
do that! I mean, just the opposite happened. Im the one
who wouldnt kill the Bane and Im the one who wanted
to take it to Ripred. If anyone should be cleared, its
you.
But it will not help me, Overlander. I will die no
matter what. This is what they all want. We may still be
able to save you. Think of your family, Ares pleaded.
Gregor did, and it was awful. First Boots, now him.
But he couldnt throw Ares to the lions that way. His
family wouldnt want him to lie and get Ares killed for
something hed done. No, said Gregor.
But you Ares began.
No, said Gregor. Im not doing it, Ares.
Then we will both die! Ares said angrily.
Then we will! They sat there, both of them stewing
for a minute. So, how do they do it? asked Gregor.
You will not like it, said Ares.
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Well, probably not. But Id rather know, said

Gregor.
They will bind my wings and your hands and drop
us off a very high cliff to the rocks below, said Ares.
It was Gregors recurring nightmare. For as long as
he could remember hed had terrible dreams about it.
Falling through space . . . smashing into the ground . . .
it was how Henry had died. And King Gorgers rats. He
had heard their screams as they fell, had seen their
bodies bursting open on the rocks.
For a moment, he was tempted to take Ares up on
his offer. But he couldnt.
A small hatch at the base of the dungeon door
swung open, and two bowls of food were pushed in.
The hatch slammed shut.
It seemed impossible to eat at a time like this, but
Gregors stomach began to growl at the smell of food.
You want to eat? he asked Ares.
I suppose we should to keep up our strength, said
the bat. Some opportunity for escape may arise.
The bowls contained some kind of porridge and a
chunk of bread. It wasnt the most exciting meal on
earth, but after days of raw fish, it tasted great. Gregor
wolfed his down and felt a little better. Just because
268

they were accused of something didnt mean theyd

been found guilty. Maybe when the tribunal heard his
version of what had happened, they would understand.
And then there was Nerissa . . .
So no matter what the tribunal decides, Nerissa
can keep us alive if she wants to? asked Gregor.
Yes, she can spare our lives. But Overlander, I let
Henry die, said Ares.
Yeah, but you know what she told me? She told me
she thought it was best that he died. Because if he hadnt,
everybody else would have died, too, said Gregor.
Did she? said Ares. It must have taken many
dark nights to come to that conclusion.
Does she really see things? I mean, like the future?
said Gregor.
Yes, she does. I have witnessed it. But she is young,
and her gift is a torture to her. She sees many things she
does not understand, and many things that frighten
her. At times she doubts her own sanity, said Ares.
Gregor didnt respond to that. He wasnt convinced
that she was sane, either.
The door swung open, and the guards stepped in.
It is time for your hearing, said the one in charge.
His hopes for escape dimmed when they bound his
269

hands behind his back. Aress wings were pinned

against his body with a rope. It was like they were
already being prepared for the execution. All they
needed was the cliff.
Several guards hoisted Ares onto their shoulders and
marched off briskly. Gregor followed behind as they
retraced their steps up several flights from the dungeon
and then veered off to another part of the palace.
They entered a room that was set up for judgment.
This was not the room where the Underlanders had
threatened to banish Ares. It was more formal. More
official. A long, stone table with three chairs sat at the
front. Thats for the judges, Gregor thought. Directly
behind the center chair, elevated by a platform was a
throne. Off to the right, as you faced the table, was a
stone cube with three steps going up to it. It was
positioned so that not only the judges but anyone sitting
in the seven tiers of seats that rose to the high ceilings
could get a good view of it. The witness stand.
Every seat in the house was filled with either a bat
or a human. They stared down at Gregor and Ares
with undisguised hatred, but it was eerily quiet. It had
almost been better when everybody was screaming and
throwing stuff.
270

Gregor was directed to an open area in front of the

table. The guards set Ares down next to him. They
stood staring at the empty table before them. Then
there was the sound of more footsteps. Gregor turned
his head and found Howard and Andromeda behind
him. They were both bound and looked ragged.
What are you doing here? Gregor exclaimed.
We, too, are on trial for treason, Howard said
hoarsely.
For what? said Gregor. You never even made it
to the Bane!
That is precisely the reason, said Howard.
Then Gregor realized what he meant. Howard and
Andromeda were on trial because they had not
finished their mission; they had returned to Regalia
with Mareth.
But, objected Gregor, I made you go back!
No one made me do anything, said Howard. I
came back of my own free will.
Well, thats not what Im saying, said Gregor. He
was suddenly overwhelmed by the way his decision
had jeopardized the lives of those who had fought by
his side. He couldnt let this happen.
A side door opened, and an old man and a decrepit
271

white bat entered. A moment later an elderly woman

appeared with several scrolls. All three took seats at
the table. The woman, who seemed to be the head judge,
took the center seat. She glanced back at the throne
and addressed a guard.
May we expect Queen Nerissa? she asked.
They are checking now to see if she has regained
consciousness, your honor, said the guard.
The woman nodded, but Gregor could hear people
in the crowd murmuring, probably about the frailty
of their new queen. One glance from the head judge
and the room fell silent. Gregor had the feeling that
whoever she was, his life was in her hands.
For a few minutes, nothing much happened. The
judges preoccupied themselves with examining the
scrolls.
Gregor shifted his weight slightly from side to side.
The rope was really biting into his wrists. He wondered
if he could ask them to cut it loose or if that would be a
major breach of court behavior. Well, it was worth a try.
Excuse me, your honor? he said. The judges all
looked at him in surprise.
Yes, Overlander? said the woman.
Do you think you could untie us now? Im losing
272

all the feeling in my fingers, said Gregor. And they

knotted the rope right over one of my squid-sucker
sores. You cant see it, but Aress whole back is covered
with open wounds from those flesh-eating mites that
killed Pandora. And Howard and Andromeda are
pretty beat up, too.
Even if she said no, Gregor was still glad hed spoken.
He wanted them to know all these idiots packing
the seats, waiting for his death sentence that he and
Ares and Howard and Andromeda were the ones who
had been out risking their lives. Suddenly he couldnt
wait to testify.
Cut free the defendants, the head judge said, and
turned back to her scroll.
No one in the crowd dared object. A guard cut all
their bonds. Gregor rubbed his wrists and glanced
back to see that Howard was doing the same.
Did Mareth make it? he asked.
Howards tormented face broke into a brief smile.
Yes. He will mend.
I cant believe you kept him alive after that serpent
attack! said Gregor. He said serpent attack extra
loud to make sure everyone heard, then turned back to
the front before anyone could tell him to shut up.
273

A guard hurried into the room and whispered

something to the head judge.
Very well, said the head judge. We will begin.
She cleared her throat and read off the series of charges
against the defendants. The language was pretty
complicated, but it all seemed to boil down to the fact
that Gregor hadnt killed the Bane, and nobody else
had, either.
The head judge finished the list of charges and
looked up. We will now question those on trial.
Can I go first? It burst out of Gregor before he
could stop it, but suddenly he knew he had to. He could
sense that Howard, Ares, and probably Andromeda
were already convinced they were guilty. If they got up
on the stand, they might not be able to defend
themselves. He, on the other hand, was absolutely
bubbling over with the injustice of the whole thing.
Overlander, the head judge said firmly, it is not
our custom to shout out inquiries during a trial,
especially one so serious in nature.
Sorry, Gregor said, but he didnt hang his head or
look away. What should I do if I have a question,
raise my hand? I mean, I dont have a lawyer or
anything, right?
274

Raising your hand should be sufficient, the head

judge said, ignoring his lawyer question.
He thought about raising his hand and asking if he
could go first again. But that might seem snotty.
Whether it was because he had asked or because he
was already slated to do so, Gregor was called directly
to the stand. He climbed the steps to the cube. It
was designed so people could see any twitch, any
shift in the defendants body language. He felt very
exposed.
Gregor expected to be bombarded with questions,
like you saw on TV, but the judges merely settled back
in their seats and looked at him.
Tell us, then, said the head judge. Tell us about
your journey.
This threw him a little. Where . . . where do you
want me to start?
Start from the day you sailed away from Regalia,
said the head judge.
So, he did. He told his story. And every chance he
got, he made sure to emphasize the courage the others
on trial had shown. When he got to the part at the
Tankard, he said, I made Howard leave. He didnt
have any choice. I was going to fight him if he tried to
275

come with us. Id have fought Andromeda, too, she

knew that. Thats why they went home. How could
they risk injuring me when I still had to kill the Bane?
And why did you not want them to accompany
you? said the old bat judge.
Gregor had a moment of confusion. Because . . . I
dont know . . . because we needed to get Mareth back,
for one thing. And I didnt want a whole bunch of
people in that maze, I guess. I wanted my family to
know what had happened to my sister . . . and me, if I
didnt come back. And because . . . because . . . He
spun back in his mind to the cave, to the ice that had
engulfed him. Because the Bane was mine.
A gasp rose from the crowd at his insolence.
What do you mean, the Bane was yours? asked
the bat.
It was mine to kill. Thats what your prophecy
says, right? Im the guy whos supposed to kill it? In the
end, it was always my job, said Gregor. And it was
my call, who I wanted to take into that maze not
yours. He paused. Anyway, if you kill Howard and
Andromeda because they came back, thats just murder.
Nobody could have done better than they did.
He looked over to where the others stood. It was hard
276

to read Andromeda, but she did shake her wings a little.

Howards lips silently formed a couple of words. Gregor
was pretty sure they were thank you. Maybe hed
made a convincing enough argument to keep them alive.
Go on with your story. What happened after your
company parted ways? asked the head judge.
Gregor took a deep breath. This part was going to be
harder. He told about entering the Labyrinth, having to
leave Twitchtip behind, finding the cone, and witnessing
the bloody fight between Goldshard and Snare. There
was a reaction from the crowd again. Gregor suspected
they were happy that Snare was dead.
Just then Nerissa appeared in the doorway, leaning
heavily on Vikuss arm. Her coronation gown was
lopsided, and stray braids hung out of her hairdo.
There was not even the suggestion of a crown no
tiara, no gold band on her head. She kept squinting,
as if she were in bright sunlight.
It took Vikus and a pair of guards to help her up
onto the throne. She swayed slightly, even when she
was seated, as if at any moment she might plunge to
the ground.
Queen Nerissa, are you well enough to attend this
trial? the head judge asked in a neutral tone.
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Oh, yes, said Nerissa. I have seen myself here

before, although I do not know the outcome.
This was the sort of stuff that made everybody
think she was crazy. Maybe someone ought to tell her
to keep her visions under her hat. Crown. Whatever.
The charge is treason? Nerissa said doubtfully,
and Gregor realized she had no idea what was going on.
The head judge said slowly, Yes, the defendants
are on trial for treason.
Nerissa stared at an empty spot on the wall for a
moment, then shook her head. Forgive me. I have
only just awoken.
Do you wish us to begin the proceedings again?
asked the head judge.
Oh, no, please continue, said Nerissa. She knotted
up her hands in her skirt, hiking it up above her knees.
Another braid sprang free from its pins and fell down
the side of her face. Her whole body was shaking.
The head judge looked over at Vikus, who avoided
her gaze and busied himself placing his cloak around
Nerissas shoulders.
The queen gave him a smile. I wish I had some
soup.

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Oh, geez, thought Gregor. She wasnt going to

help their case any.
The head judge turned to Gregor. So, after the fight
between the gnawers, Goldshard and Snare. What
occurred next?
Gregor tried to regain his focus. So, then, we heard
a scratching in one of the tunnels, and we knew it was
the Bane. But the tunnel was small; Ares couldnt fit
into it. I had to leave him in the cone. I went down the
tunnel; I was ready to kill it. Then when I found the
Bane, it started crying and calling, Mama, and I
mean you told me it was like this ten-foot rat! I
guess you didnt know, or whatever, but I wasnt
expecting the Bane to be a baby.
Nerissa flew to her feet. A baby!
Yeah, it was a baby rat, Gregor said, surprised
she was even following along.
She stumbled down the steps and came reeling
around the table, her skirt still twisted up in one hand
while the other waved wildly. Oh, Warrior! Oh,
Warrior! she cried frantically. As she lurched toward
him, he was torn between trying to catch her and just
getting out of the way. Right before she made it to the

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cube, he leaped off and grabbed her by the shoulders.

The icy fingers of her free hand clutched the neck of
his shirt.
Oh, you did not kill it, did you? she said.
No, Nerissa, I didnt kill it, he said, totally baffled.
I couldnt.
She heaved a huge, shuddering sigh and sank down
to the ground at his feet, laughing in relief. Oh . . .
oh . . . She patted his knee reassuringly. Then we
may all yet be saved.

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26

he sat on the floor rocking back and forth laughing,

the very picture of madness.

Man, somebody needs to help this girl, thought

Gregor.
Vikus came up and crouched beside her on the
floor. Nerissa, perhaps you should rest longer. Are
you feeling ill?
Oh, no, I am well. We are all well! giggled Nerissa.
The warrior has fulfilled the prophecy.
No, Nerissa, he did not succeed in killing the
Bane, Vikus said gently.
Vikus, said Nerissa. The baby lives. So lives the
warriors heart. The gnawers do not have their key to
power.

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Vikus looked like a lightning bolt had hit him. He

plunked down on the floor next to her. This is what
Sandwich meant? he said. We never considered it.
What? said Gregor. He wasnt sure what was
going on.
The baby in the prophecy was never your sister,
Gregor. It was the Bane, said Vikus.
The Bane? Why would it kill my heart if the Bane
died? said Gregor.
Why did you not drain its light? asked Vikus.
Because its a baby. Its just wrong, said Gregor.
Its the most evil thing . . . I . . . I mean, if you can
kill a baby, what cant you do?
So says your heart. So says your most essential
part, said Nerissa.
Gregor took a few steps back and sat on the cube.
Nerissas meaning was slowly dawning on him.
DIE THE BABY, DIE HIS HEART,
DIE HIS MOST ESSENTIAL PART.

His most essential part was the part that had spared the
Bane. If he had killed it, he would have never been
the same. He would have lost himself forever.
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You know, Vikus said to Nerissa, as if they were

the only two in the room, I am continually amazed
by how badly we can interpret one of Sandwichs
prophecies. Then the moment it is understood
The whole thing is as clear as water, agreed
Nerissa.
Vikus quoted a section from the prophecy:
WHAT COULD TURN THE WARRIOR WEAK?
WHAT DO BURNING GNAWERS SEEK?
JUST A BARELY SPEAKING PUP
WHO HOLDS THE LAND OF UNDER UP.

The gnawers have always sought the Bane . . . , said

Vikus.
Who is just a barely speaking pup. Sandwich even
went so far as to use the word pup. The gnawers
own word for baby, said Nerissa.
And the Bane holds the land of Under up, nodded
Vikus.
Because if Gregor had killed it . . . , continued
Nerissa.
Total war, said Vikus. Its death would have
been enough to rally them. Taking that pup to Ripred
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was a stroke of genius, Gregor. Oh, they will not know

how to parry that move.
Queen Nerissa, are we to continue this trial?
asked the head judge.
Nerissa looked up, as if she was surprised at her
surroundings. Trial? For the warrior? Of course there
will be no trial! He has saved the Underland. She got
to her feet, using Vikus for support, and saw the other
defendants staring at her. She gave them a small smile,
but directed her next line to Ares. And all who helped
him are held in our highest regard.
Ares ducked his head. Maybe it was a bow or
maybe he couldnt look at her.
Will you dine with me, you four? You look halfstarved, said Nerissa. It was kind of ironic coming
from her, but a welcome invitation.
Somewhat dazed by the recent turn of events, Gregor,
Ares, Howard, and Andromeda straggled out of the
courtroom after Nerissa. She led them to a small,
private dining room. The table could seat no more
than six. In one corner, water trickled in a fountain.
Old tapestries hung on the walls. Gregor guessed the
first Underlanders must have brought them from above,

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because they depicted scenes from the Overland, not

this dark world. It was a calming place.
Its nice in here, said Gregor.
Yes, said Nerissa. This is where I often take my
meals.
They all took seats. People brought in platters of
elegant food. Large fish stuffed with grain and herbs,
tiny vegetables arranged in geometric patterns, steaming braided bread studded with fruit, paper-thin piles
of roast beef, and Ripreds favorite, that shrimp in
cream sauce. Heaping plates were placed in front of
each of them.
Do not suppose I always dine so sumptuously,
said Nerissa. This food was prepared for the coronation. Please, begin.
Gregor lifted his bread, dipped it in the cream
sauce, and took a big bite.
For a while, they all concentrated on the food. Except
Nerissa, who seemed to be mostly rearranging hers.
I am afraid I am a poor conversationalist, said
Nerissa. Even at my best. And at present, grief for my
cousins fate has robbed me of what little I might
venture to say.

285

It is the same for all of us, Howard said sadly.

Yes, no one here has been spared, said Nerissa.
It was true. The journey to the Labyrinth had given
them all ample reason for grief. Gregor was glad that
Nerissa acknowledged it and that they could continue
in silence.
After days of insufficient food, Gregors stomach
was soon heavy with the rich dishes before him. The
others stopped eating as well. You would think theyd
all be shoveling down seven or eight helpings, but it
didnt work that way.
Nerissa then sent the four of them down to the
hospital. Andromeda and Howard hadnt received
medical care or been allowed a bath, either.
When did you guys get back? asked Gregor.
About twelve hours before you arrived. Andromeda
was astonishing. She barely rested at all. When we
landed, they took Mareth to the hospital, and locked
us up. But I knew one of our guards. She whispered
word of Mareths recovery to us, said Howard.
At the hospital, all four of them were immediately
sent to bathe. Gregor realized he must be knocking
people over with the rotten-egg smell. After several
days, he didnt much notice it anymore. He sank into
286

a tub and felt all his injuries object. The squid-sucker

marks on his arm, the aching ribs, the bump on his
head from Ripred, the various abrasions and bruises
from the stoning, the rope burns around his wrists.
Wincing, he scrubbed himself down. It was lucky that
the bathwater was continually carried away by the
current. It would have been the color of mud by the
time he was through.
The doctors treated his wounds. He spoke only
when they asked him a direct question about an injury.
When he finished, the others were waiting for him.
I suppose we should all get some rest, said
Howard.
Is that safe? asked Gregor.
No one answered. Their status in Regalia was
foggy. Nerissa had cleared them, but Gregor had a
feeling plenty of people still thought they were guilty.
I have a large chamber that would accommodate us.
It is reserved for my family at all times, said Howard.
At least we know we are safe with one another.
They all followed Howard back to his room. Gregor
was glad he had offered. He didnt want to go back to
the room he had always shared with Boots here.
Wheres your family? asked Gregor.
287

They returned to the Fount a few days after we

left. I expect they are trying to travel here now, as I
am . . . as I was on trial for treason, said Howard.
Howards family actually had several chambers
reserved for them. It was like a small apartment of
connecting rooms. But they all gathered to sleep in one
that the kids shared. Howard and Gregor took beds
next to each other. Ares and Andromeda huddled
together in the space between them.
To sleep, then, said Howard.
The bats dropped off almost instantly. Howard
tossed and turned awhile, but then Gregor could hear
his breathing slow down and become rhythmic. He lay
in bed wishing sleep would carry him away. But it
wouldnt come.
What would happen now? He guessed he would be
allowed to go home. Probably pretty soon. Then there
would be his family to face. And life without Boots. It
still wasnt quite real. It would be, when he was back
in the apartment, looking at her bed, her toys, her
cardboard box of books.
Gregor thought of her clothes sitting in the museum.
He didnt want to leave them here for people to poke

288

through. He grabbed a torch off the wall and left

Howards room.
A few guards saw him along the way, but no one tried
to stop him. Nor did they greet him or say anything.
He had the feeling they didnt know how they were
supposed to treat him, so they left him alone.
He found the museum on his own. There, by the
door, was the little pile of Bootss clothes. He pressed
her shirt against his nose and could smell that sweet
combination of shampoo and peanut butter and baby
that was his sister. For the first time, his eyes welled up
with tears.
Gregor? said a voice behind him.
He stuffed the shirt in the pack and wiped his eyes
as Vikus came into the museum.
Hey, Vikus, he said. Whats up?
The council has just adjourned what I believe to be
the first of many meetings addressing The Prophecy of
Bane. I am convinced Nerissas interpretation is correct,
but there is dissension. This is to be expected, as it is a
new idea. But until it is decided, her word stands. As
that could change, I think it best if you leave here as
soon as possible.

289

Fine by me, said Gregor. What about the others?

I believe charges will not be reinstated against
Andromeda and Howard. Your testimony of their
innocence was quite convincing, said Vikus.
And Ares? said Gregor.
Vikus sighed. He is at greater risk. But if he is to be
charged again, I will get word to him so that he may
flee. He can at least escape execution.
Gregor nodded. That was about as much as he
could hope for.
Is there anything you would like to take back with
you? Vikus asked, gesturing to the shelves.
I dont want anything but our stuff, said Gregor.
If not for yourself, perhaps for your parents, said
Vikus. How does your father . . . does he teach again?
No, hes still too sick, said Gregor.
How so? Vikus asked, frowning.
Gregor choked out a list of his dads symptoms. His
fathers health was just one more thing the Underland
had stolen from them.
Vikus tried to question him in more detail, but he
couldnt take it. You know, maybe I will take that
clock, he said, pointing to the cuckoo clock he had
seen when he was collecting batteries. He had said it to
290

change the subject, but he knew someone who might

like it.
I will have it wrapped for you, said Vikus.
Great, so I guess Ill see if Ares is up for flying yet,
and like you said, get out of here, said Gregor. He
scooped up his clothes and left the museum. Vikus
could learn a thing or two from Nerissa. Sometimes
people just didnt want to talk.
He got all turned around on his way back to
Howards room. The route was unfamiliar, and the tears
that had started back in the museum were streaming
down his cheeks. Well, maybe it was better to break
down here than in front of his parents. He turned left,
then right, then backtracked. Where was he? Where
was his sister? She had just been here, he had her
clothes, he could feel her in his arms . . . Boots!
He gave up and pressed his forehead into a stone
wall, sobbing as he let the pain in. Images of her
swarmed back into his mind. Boots on the sled . . . Boots
showing him how she could hop on one foot . . . Bootss
eyes, upside down, their foreheads pressed together. . . .
TWO ROWS
TINY, TINY TOES
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BOOTS TEN . . . WIGGLE MY NOSE

WHEW!

He could even hear her voice trying to do the silly bath

rhyme Howard had coaxed her out of her tears with.
WIGGLE NOSE
NINE, TEN TOES

She couldnt get it right. The words were too

complicated. . . .
GIVE THEM BATH SO TEN TOES GOES.

And then she gave a sneeze.

Gregor looked up. That didnt make sense. He
heard a second sneeze. Not in his head. In the palace.
He started to run.
TWO ROWS
TINY, TINY TOES

Either he was completely losing it . . .

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BOOTS TEN . . . WIGGLE MY NOSE

WHEW!

. . . or that sound was real! He flew down the halls,

crashing into walls and a couple of guards who called
for him to halt. He didnt.
WIGGLE NOSE
NINE, TEN TOES

Gregor ran into the room just in time for the last line.
GIVE THEM BATH SO TEN TOES GOES.

She was sitting on the floor, surrounded by six big

cockroaches, rubbing her toes with both hands to
show how she washed them. He stumbled across the
room and grabbed her up in his arms and held on tight
as a happy voice squeaked in his ear.
Hi, you!

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CHAPTER

27

i, you, Gregor said, thinking he would never let go

of her. Oh, hi, you! Whereve you been, little girl?

I go swim, I go ride. Flutterfly, said Boots.

Okay, all right, laughed Gregor. That sounds
great. Hed have to ask the others what happened.
Hey, Temp, he said, turning to the roaches, and then
he realized something was wrong. Before him stood
six roaches with two perfect antennas each and six
solid legs. Maybe he was finally learning to tell them
apart, because he knew, anyway, that none of them
was Temp.
Wheres Temp? he asked, and six pairs of antennas
drooped.
We do not know, not we, said one of the roaches.
I be Pend, I be.
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Gregor turned in a full circle, just to be sure. It was

the room where you could ride the platform down to
the ground. Temp wasnt there. Neither were Luxa and
Aurora. He tightened his grip on Boots.
About this time, Vikus came hurrying into the room,
followed by several guards. His face lit up when he saw
Boots. They have returned! he said to Gregor.
Just Boots, Vikus. Im sorry, Gregor said, and
watched the color drain out of the old mans face.
Vikus turned to the roaches. Welcome, Pend.
Many thanks for the return of the princess. Tell us,
will you, tell us the fate of the others?
Pend tried to fill him in, but the roaches knew very
little. A moth that must have been Bootss flutterfly
had arrived in their land carrying Boots. It had been
flying in the Dead Land when it had discovered the
little girl and Temp hiding in the rocks. Temp was very
weak and unable to travel farther. He begged the moth
to take Boots back to the other crawlers. Since the
moths and cockroaches were allies, the moth had
agreed. When the crawlers sent a party back to rescue
Temp, he was nowhere to be found.
Did they make any mention of my granddaughter?
asked Vikus. Queen Luxa?
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Run you, Queen Luxa said, run you, said Pend.

Many gnawers, there were. Temp said no more.
Vikus reached out and fumbled with Bootss hair.
Temp seepy, she said. He shut eyes. I ride flutterfly.
She looked around. Where Temp?
Hes still sleeping, Boots, said Gregor. Sleeping
like Tick was sleeping, probably.
Shh, Boots said, putting her finger to her lips.
Someone had wakened Dulcet. When she tried to
take Boots out of Gregors arms, he resisted. It is all
right, Gregor. I will bathe her and bring her back
directly, said Dulcet. Since it was Dulcet, he made his
hands let go.
He followed Vikus to the dining room, where
theyd last eaten with Ripred, and they both took a
seat. Gregor tried to piece it together in his head.
It seems, Vikus said at last, they did not perish
in the Tankard.
No, said Gregor. But Twitchtip was sure there
was water between us, and they didnt answer Ares.
After a while, Dulcet came in with a clean and shiny
Boots. Vikus sent for food. Gregor held her on his lap
while she gobbled up enough dinner for ten toddlers.

296

Boots, said Gregor, you know when we saw the

big . . . He didnt know what to call those things.
Serpents wasnt a word she knew. Those big
dinosaurs.
I no like, said Boots. I no like dinosaws.
Me, either, said Gregor. But remember when we
saw them. And they knocked us off the bat. And Luxa
caught you and Temp. Where did you go?
Oh, I swim. Too cold. I bump head, Boots said,
rubbing the top of her head.
Gregor separated her curls with his fingers. He
could see little scrape marks on the delicate skin of her
scalp. Where had she been? Not in the Tankard. Was
it a big pool, Boots?
Baby pool, said Boots. I bump head.
Gregor suddenly remembered the tunnel Twitchtip
had been guiding them to. The one half under water. If
Luxa had dived for that tunnel and made it, the
entrance soon would have been flooded with the
waves churned up by the serpents. Maybe that was the
water between them. At some point they all must have
been floating in water, or Boots wouldnt have said
shed been swimming. How had they kept from

297

drowning? Then he remembered the life jackets. Boots

was not wearing hers when she came in, but she had
had it on at the Tankard.
He told his theory to Vikus. Yes, something of that
nature must have occurred. But then they would have
been trapped in the Labyrinth, said Vikus. Boots,
did you see rats?
Boots put her hand to her nose. Ow, she said. At
first Gregor thought she had hurt her nose, but when
she said, Bandidge. No touch. I no touch it. Ow, he
knew.
Twitchtip found them. Or they found her, he
said. Was it Twitchtip, Boots? With the bandage?
I no touch. Ow, Boots confirmed, pressing her
nose.
And then what happened, Boots? asked Gregor.
What did you do with Twitchtip? Did you see more
rats?
Temp give Boots ride. Fast ride! Boots said, but
that was all they could get out of her.
They were attacked, no doubt, by gnawers. Luxa
told Temp to run with Boots, then stayed to fight with
Aurora and perhaps Twitchtip, said Vikus. I am
sure their odds were not good.
298

Gregor was sure their odds had been next to zero,

but he tried to be encouraging. Well, if they had
Twitchtip, they could get out of the maze, Vikus. Or
maybe the rats wanted to keep them alive and took
them prisoner. Like they did my dad. I mean, shes a
queen, shes important.
Maybe Gregor shouldnt have said that, because the
idea of what the rats might do to Luxa if she was their
prisoner was almost scarier than thinking of her dead.
He thought of his dad, waking up screaming from
nightmares . . .
Vikus nodded, but his eyes shone with tears.
The point is . . . the point is . . . we dont know,
said Gregor. A lot of things could have happened to
them. And remember the gift you wanted to give me?
The last time I was here?
Hope, whispered Vikus.
Yeah. Dont give that up yet, okay? said Gregor.
I done, Boots said, pushing her plate off the table
and watching with satisfaction as it banged to the floor.
I done.
Well, if you are done, Boots, how would you like
to go home? said Vikus.
Ye-es! said Boots. I go home!
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I can stay, Vikus. Or I can take Boots home and

come back and help you look for Luxa and Gregor
started, but Vikus cut him off.
No, Gregor. No. If they are dead, there is nothing
any of us can do. If they are held prisoner, it will likely
be months before we can locate them. In that time,
who knows? They could reverse Nerissas verdict and
execute you. If I have need of you, believe me, I will
find some way to send for you, said Vikus. For now,
you must go home. You have worries of your own
there, yes?
Well, yes. Gregor had worries wherever he was.
In about half an hour they were down on the dock,
dressed in their own clothes, climbing on Aress back.
The only ones who had come to see them off were
Vikus, Andromeda, Howard, and Nerissa.
Give my best to Mareth, Gregor said to
Andromeda.
Yes, Overlander. He would wish you well also,
said the bat.
Gregor turned to Howard. If you hear anything
about Luxa and the others, let me know. My laundry
rooms right at the top of one of those gateways. Ares
knows which one. Leave me a note or something, okay?
300

I will get word to you, said Howard.

To his surprise, Nerissa tucked a scroll in his coat
pocket. The prophecy. So you can reflect on it
sometimes.
Gregor shook his head. I dont think I can forget
it, Nerissa. But thanks. What did she think he was
going to do? Take it home and frame it?
Vikus handed him a flashlight, a large package in
the shape of a cuckoo clock, and a silk bag that held a
heavy stone jar. Medicine, he said. For your father.
The instructions are written inside.
Oh, good! said Gregor. Maybe they had
something down here that could cure his dad. He gave
Vikus a hug. Hang in there, okay, Vikus?
Yes. Fly you high, Gregor the Overlander, said
Vikus.
Fly you high, said Gregor.
See you soon! Boots said as they took off, but
there was no response from the dock. Last time, he
had been horrified to think that they would ever return.
Now, with Luxa and the others on his mind, he felt
reluctant to leave.
You let me know! he called to them, but if anyone
answered, he couldnt hear them.
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Ares carried them down the river, across the

Waterway, up through the tunnels, and back to the
foot of the steep staircase that led to Central Park. He
climbed off the bats back with Boots.
You going to be okay? he asked Ares.
As well as you, said Ares. Fly you high, Gregor
the Overlander.
Gregor lifted his hand to grasp Aress extended
claw. Fly you high, Ares the Flier.
Ares took off into the dark of the tunnel, and Gregor
and Boots headed up the stairs.
It took a little while to move the rock it had frozen
into place but finally Gregor was able to wiggle it
loose. It was night. The park was empty. Lamplight
shone down on the foot of snow that covered the
ground. It was beautiful.
Sedding? We go sedding? asked Boots.
Not now, Boots, said Gregor. Maybe another
time. If he could find another park with a hill. Hed
never bring her back here.
They caught a taxi. New York City was ablaze with
Christmas decorations and lights. Do you know the
date today? he asked the driver, who tapped on a cheap
block calendar on the dashboard. December 23. They
302

hadnt missed it. They would all be home for Christmas.

And that idea, which had been so impossible a few
hours before, made him feel like the luckiest person
alive.
Boots snuggled up under his arm and gave a big
yawn. Boots . . . the Bane . . . right now they were so
alike that the entire Underland could misinterpret the
prophecy and mistake them for each other. But what
would happen when the Bane grew up in a year or so?
Would it become the monster predicted in the prophecy,
or an entirely different creature? He hoped Ripred
would do a good job raising it.
Although even if Ripred did all the right things, it
might be out of his control. Gregors parents were great,
and here he was, a rager. He was going to have to be
very, very careful not to get into any fights now that he
was home. He wished hed talked to Ripred more about
their condition. Next time I go down there Gregor
thought, and a jolt went through him. Because he
suddenly knew there would be a next time. He was too
tied up in the Underland now, there was too much he
cared about: finding Luxa and Aurora and Temp and
Twitchtip, if they were still alive; protecting Ares;
helping the friends who had helped him.
303

Gregor paid the driver from the last of the money

Mrs. Cormaci had given him.
The elevator was out of order, so he hauled Boots
up the stairs. They came through the front door and
made it about three steps into the room before his
dad caught them in his arms. In minutes, the whole
apartment was up. His mom was kissing him, Lizzie
was swinging on his hand, his grandma was calling
from the bedroom. A million questions were flying
at him, but he must have looked whipped, because
his mom took his face between her hands and said,
Gregor, you need to go to bed, baby? And that was
exactly what he needed.
The next morning he told the whole story. He
softened some of the bad parts, because everybody
looked so scared. But its okay. Boots wasnt the
baby. It was the Bane. So theres no reason the rats
would want her now, said Gregor.
I not baby. I big girl, said Boots, who was sitting
on her dads lap, lining up little plastic animals along
the arm of the couch. I ride bat. I swim. Temp seepy.
I tell flutterfly tiny, tiny toes.
And what about you, Gregor? said his mother.
Well, I had my chance to kill the Bane and I didnt
304

do it, so I dont think the rats will come looking for

me. He didnt tell her that the Regalians might. Oh,
hey, look what I brought for Mrs. Cormaci. Its a clock.
Shes been so nice and all, and you know how she loves
all those old clocks
Gregor pulled open the pack, and a cloud of money
floated out. Confused, he emptied the pack on the
sofa. There was the clock, all right. But Vikus had
ordered them to pack it in money. All those wallets in
the museum must be a lot lighter now, because there
were literally thousands of dollars in cash on the sofa.
Oh, my goodness, said his grandma. Now, what
are we going to do with all that?
Were going to pay off the bills, his mom said
grimly. Her face softened. And then, were going to
have Christmas.
And they did. They had to rush around like crazy to
pull it together, what with Christmas being the very next
day, but who cared? Gregor, Lizzie, and their mom went
shopping. His grandma and Boots watched Christmas
specials on TV, while his dad cleaned up Mrs. Cormacis
cuckoo clock.
Even after the money had been set aside for the bills,
there was plenty for Christmas. First they took the old
305

metal laundry cart out and loaded it up with groceries.

For a few weeks, anyway, Gregor would not have to
feel tense when he opened the kitchen cabinets. Then
the guy on the corner who sold trees gave them one
half-price, since he was about done for the season,
anyway. Lizzie stayed home to help decorate the tree,
while Gregor and his mom shopped for presents. He
had a hard time getting his mom anything that was a
surprise since she wouldnt let him out of her sight.
Mom, its not like some giant rat is going to come
after me in the middle of Eighty-sixth Street, he said.
Theres a million people out.
You just stay where I can see you, she answered.
He finally managed to get her a pair of earrings
while she was buying everybody socks.
That evening, when Mrs. Cormaci came by with an
armload of presents for them, Gregor answered the
door.
So, youre finally up and around, Mister, she said.
At first Gregor didnt know what she was talking
about; then he remembered he was supposed to have
had the flu. Yeah, that pretty much wiped me out.
Youre thin as a rail, Mrs. Cormaci said, and
handed him a plate of Christmas cookies.
306

Gregor wished he had a picture of her face when

she opened the clock. He could tell it blew her away.
Oh, my! Where did you get this?
There was a pause.
In one of those places that has old things, said
Lizzie.
An antique shop? said Mrs. Cormaci.
Oh, no, just a secondhand place, said his dad. In
a way, it was true.
When she left, Gregor carried the clock home for
her. She was chattering on about her kids flying in the
next day and tickets shed gotten for some Broadway
musical when she stopped short. She was staring at
Gregors feet.
Gregor looked down. The boots were a mess. Badly
scarred from Aress claws, streaked with blood and
squid slime, one toe bent in. Before he could think up
a story, she spoke.
Well, looks like youre getting a lot of use out of
those, she said.
Gregor didnt answer. He couldnt lie to her again;
she had been too good to them.
You know, one day youre going to realize you can
trust me, Gregor, she said.
307

I do trust you, Mrs. Cormaci, he mumbled.

Do you? Flu. Hmph, she said. Ill see you next
Saturday. She shook her head and closed the door.
The tree was decorated, the fridge was packed, the
stockings were hung, everyone was in bed except Gregor
and his mom. They were wrapping presents in his room.
When they were down to the last few, he left her to finish
while he tiptoed in to tidy up the living room. His dad
was snoring peacefully on the pulled-out sofa maybe
that medicine would help after all. Their coats were in a
pile on the floor where Lizzie had dumped them so they
could hang their stockings on the coat pegs by the door.
As he gathered them up, the cell phone fell out of his coat
pocket. He stuffed it back in and felt something.
There, lying flat along the bottom of his jacket
pocket, was the prophecy Nerissa had given him. It
had been there all day, but he hadnt noticed it. What
had she said? He was supposed to reflect on it? He
wasnt sure what shed meant.
Gregor unrolled the scroll and held it in the Christmas
tree lights. Something was wrong with the prophecy. It
took him a moment to realize it was written backwards.
He traced the title from right to left with his fingers,

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deciphering the words. The Prophecy of Bane no

wait! The last word wasnt Bane. It was Blood.
He released the top of the scroll and let it snap shut
as his mom came into the room with a big pile of
presents.
You ready for this? she said.
Gregor slipped the scroll in his back pocket and held
out his arms. Sure, he said. Ready as Ill ever be.

309

AC K N OW L E D G M E N T S

any thanks to my terrific agent, Rosemary Stimola,

my extraordinary editor, Kate Egan, and Scholastic

Presss amazing editorial director, Liz Szabla, who

takes such excellent care of Gregor both on the page
and in the world. Much appreciation goes also to the
wonderful folks at Scholastic, especially Elizabeth
Eulberg for being my guide and escort into the land of
public appearances.
Special love to my dad, Michael Collins, who passed
away last year. He was instrumental in the creation of
this series and continues to be at my side as Gregor continues his journey. He will fly with me always. And for
my mom, Jane Collins, ongoing gratitude for her
thoughtful input and enthusiastic support of these
books.

Thanks also to my friends and family for their

encouragement, their excitement, and their habit of
walking into bookstores around the country and talking
up Gregor the Overlander in voices too loud to ignore.
Most of all, love to Cap, Charlie, and Isabel, who
make it all worthwhile.

ADVENTURE
AWAITS BELOW!

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